Effect of prophylactic amoxicillin on endodontic flare-up in teeth with asymptomatic, necrotic pulps and periradicular pathosis

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of prophylactic amoxicillin used and placebo in preventing endodontic flare-up in teeth with asymptomatic necrotic pulp and periradicular pathosis undergoing root canal treatment. The Quasi experimental study on 125 patients formed the study groups which was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar over a period of 10 months [10-09-2009 to 15-8-2010]. Patients were randomly divided in to two groups; experimental and control groups by selecting convenient sampling. Internationally recommended doses of prophylactic amoxicillin were given to patients in experimental group and placebo in control group one hour before the start of endodontic treatment. On the first visit complete biomechanical preparation was accomplished. Access cavity was sealed with zinc oxide eugenol. Five patients [4%] developed flare-up in experimental and six [4.80%] in control groups. The results demonstrated that 11/125 or 8.80% patients had developed flare-up. Data analysis revealed no significant differences between flare-up and non- flare- up patients for age, sex and tooth location. Prophylactic amoxicillin did not decrease frequency of the occurrence of flareup significantly [P = .33]. Experimental and control groups measured by flare-up index showed almost similar results: