Factors Associated with Pain at 1 Week Following Non-Surgical Root Canal Treatment; a National Dental Practice-Based Research Network DPBRN Study.

Abstract

This exploratory study is based on secondary analysis of a pre-existing dataset. This research was conducted within the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. We sought to investigate the difference in lingering postoperative pain and other quality of life outcomes at 1 week when comparing preoperatively asymptomatic versus preoperatively symptomatic patients. The findings show that root canal treatment helped relieve patients of endodontic pain and maintain their quality of life. There was a significantly less pain now at 1 week in preoperatively asymptomatic patients as compared to preoperatively symptomatic patients. The statistical models identified the additional following predicting factors for increased lingering postoperative at 1 week: female gender, moderate/severe baseline pain, 2+ visits, no radiolucency, no swelling, mandibular, and posterior teeth. Preoperative asymptomatic patients also experienced significantly lower worst pain rating, average pain, swelling, less analgesic use, and less detriment to their daily, work, and recreational activities at 1 week.