Evaluation of postoperative pain after using dexamethasone intracanal rinse in irreversible pulpitis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone as a final intracanal rinse in relieving postoperative pain of teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Study Design: Randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, PIMS, Islamabad, Pakistan, from June 2019 to December 2020. Methodology: Sixty patients aged 18- 50 years diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were selected according to the inclusion criterion. After obtaining informed consent, root canal therapy (RCT) was initiated under rubber dam. Pulpectomy was done followed by canal preparation. The lottery method was utilised for the division of patients. Group A (experimental) received dexamethasone (4mg/ml in 5ml syringe) as a final rinse, while Group B (control group) recalled after 1 week and asked whether their pain had relieved or not as a yes/no question. After data collection teeth were obturated and permanent restoration was placed. Data were analysed using Chi-square test. Results: The efficacy of dexamethasone as a final intracanal rinse was greater than saline 86.67% and 20.0%, respectively (p < 0.05) in relieving postoperative pain in teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Conclusion: Dexamethasone was proved to be more efficacious than saline in alleviating postoperative pain when used as a final intracanal rinse after canal instrumentation. (author)