EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS MIXTURES OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE MEDICAMENT IN MITIGATING INTER-APPOINTMENT PAIN IN MANDIBULAR MOLAR ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

Objective: To compare efficacy of calcium hydroxide mixed with 2% chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide mixed with 1 ml normal saline in terms of inter-appointment pain in permanent mandibular molars.

Materials and methods: A triple blind clinical study was carried out at the Department of Operative Dentistry in the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry over a period of six months. Sample size was estimated n=80 by using World Health Organization calculator. Thus 80 patients were divided into 2 groups through central randomization. In group-A, calcium hydroxide (0.5 g) mixed with 1ml of 2% chlorhexidine whereas in group-B calcium hydroxide (0.5 g) mixed with 1ml normal saline were placed as intra canal medicament. Pain levels at 24 hours were recorded according to the VAS criteria.

Results: The mean age of patients in group A was 34.4±7.5 years, with a gender distribution consisting of 22 males (55%) and 18 females (45%). Conversely, group B had a mean age of 34.4±7.5 years, with a gender distribution of 27 males (67.5%) and 13 females (32.5%).Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean inter-appointment Pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores recorded at 24 hours between the two groups. Specifically, group A exhibited a mean level of pain reduction of 1.48±1.21, whereas group B had a higher mean level of pain reduction of 3.15±1.35 (p<0.001) on VAS scale.

Conclusion: The intracanal medication regimen comprising calcium hydroxide combined with 2% chlorhexidine has shown statistically significant difference in alleviating inter-appointment pain compared to the regimen of calcium hydroxide mixed with normal saline.