Assessment of Postoperative Pain Using Different Root Canal Irrigants in Mandibular Molars with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: An Observational Study

Background: The present study was conducted to assess postoperative pain using different root canal irrigants in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted on 84 patients (40 males and 44 females) having 126 mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. In all molars, access cavity preparation was done and the root canal shaping procedures were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions for each instrument system. Teeth were divided into 2 groups. In Group I, the 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution was used as an irrigating solution. In Group II, the 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) was used as an irrigating solution. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess postobturation pain on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days. Results: There were 40 males and 44 females in the present study. In Group I, the 5.25% NaOCl solution was used as an irrigating solution. In Group II, the 2% CHX was used as an irrigating solution. Each group had 63 teeth. VAS was 9 in Group I and 8 in Group II on Day 1; 5 and 3 in Groups I and II, respectively, on Day 3; and 3 and 1 on Day 7 in Groups I and II, respectively. The difference was significant (P < .05). Conclusions: There were excellent results obtained with the 2% CHX solution as compared with the 5.25% NaOCl solution. Group II exhibited less VAS than Group I.