Post-Operative Endodontic Pain(PEP) among Patients Visiting a Dental College in Birgunj, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

NTRODUCTION: Post-operative Endodontic Pain (PEP) following a Root Canal Treatment(RCT) can cause discomfort to the patient as well as increase the working time of the dental clinician.
AIM: To evaluate prevalence of PEP among patients visiting the department of Endodontics, MB Kedia Dental College, Birgunj,Nepal
MATERIALS AND METHOD: This cross-sectional used a 16 item questionnaire based of VAS Scale to report pre-poerative pain and PEP among patients undergoing RCT in the department of Endodontics, MB Kedia Dental College, Birgunj, Nepal. Patients were followed-up for six months for any signs of PEP. Data was Analysed using SPSS version 21.0 and Student’s Paired t-test and Spearman’s Correlation was used to find out significant differences, if any.
RESULTS: Of 459 subject undergoing RCT, 152 (33.1%) patients suffered from PEP associated pain during the follow-up period of six months. Males complained of a higher PEP (55.9%) as compared to females(44.1%). Patients undergoing single visit RCT complained of less pain(28.9%) and the highest incidence of PEP was seen in Maxillary Arch (87, p=0.001)
CONCUSION: It is important for the dental clinician to take all precaution’s to avoid PEP in patients, as well as the patients be made aware of PEP and its subsequent treatment protocols (Use of analgesics, reporting back to the dentist, etc.).