Evaluation of Post-Operative Pain and Healing in Single-Visit versus Multiple-Visit Root Canal Therapy

Abstract

Background: “Root canal therapy (RCT)” is a common endodontic procedure targeted at preserving teeth compromised by pulp infection. The debate over the optimal number of visits for RCT remains inconclusive, with single- and multiple-visit approaches both being advocated. Methods: A prospective research was conducted on 100 subjects undergoing RCT at a tertiary care center. Subjects were randomly ascribed to the single-/multiple-visit group. Post-operative pain was assessed using a “visual analog scale,” and healing outcomes were evaluated through peri-apical radiographs. Results: Post-operative pain levels were comparable between the single- and multiple-visit clusters at all time points. However, healing outcomes differed significantly, with a higher percentage of healed cases observed in the single-visit group compared to the multiple-visit group. Conclusion: While both single-visit and multiple-visit RCT protocols resulted in similar post-operative pain levels, the single-visit approach demonstrated superior healing outcomes. These findings emphasize the need for personalized treatment approaches based on patient characteristics and clinical considerations in endodontic practice.

Keywords

• healing outcomes
• multiple-visit
• post-operative pain
• root canal therapy
• single-visit