RESUMO
Whether root canal treatment [RCT] is performed in single or in multiple sessions, infection control and elimination or reducing postobturation pain is a key factor for the success of RCT. Single visit RCT is now being considered as a good alternative to multiple visit RCT. The objective of this study was to assess the frequeney of post-obturation pain after single visit root canal treatment in teeth wilh pulpal necrosis along with the effect of age, gender and arch on pain severity after single visit endodontes. A total of 70 pulpally necrosed teeth of patients requiring RCT were treated at Operative Department of Altanmsh Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi; from July 2008 to Feb 2009. 7 patients did not return for followup, therefore 63 patients were included in the study. The study design was Interventional Quasi experimental. Pre and Postobturation pain was recorded according to verbal rating scale before RCT, after 1[st] day, one week and after one month. Data was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Preoperative pain was observed in 57% of patients. While at first day follow up, postoperative pain was observed in 58% of patients, After seventh day pain existed in 14% [p=0.0001] of patients, after one month 8% [p=0.0001] patients remained painful. There was significant difference in severity of post-obturation pain in 16 to 35 year age group as compared to 36 to 40 year age group. Severity of pain significantly decreased in 16 to 25 and 26 to 35 age group at 1[st], 7[th] and 1 month recall [p=0.001]. Male gender in contrast to female gender had a significantly reduced severity of pain 1st month post operatively [p=0.001]. Severity of pain was significantly decreased in maxillary teeth as compared to madibular arch [pre vs. 1 days p=0.006] and [1st day vs. 1st month; p=0.0001]. The lack of post-obturation pain was found to be positivity co-related with single visit endodontics in age group of 16-35 years, male gender and maxillary teeth