Root canal therapy is a procedure in which inflamed pulp tissue and microorganisms are removed from root canals and pulp chamber, in order to eradicate infection and symptoms. Irrigation is a crucial step of an endodontic therapy and different methods and protocols are used to enhance the efficacy of irrigation. Sonic activation of root canal irrigation agent is one of the effective methods that enhance the outcomes and success rate of endo therapies. It removes the smear layer, bacterial biofilms and debris by acoustic streaming and agitating the irrigant inside root canals. Similarly, irrigation needles also play an important role in endodontic therapy, particularly by improving the delivery of irrigation agent to the apex of a root canal. conventionally, open ended needles have been used for irrigant delivery inside root canal but is not deemed very efficacious as they cannot penetrate deep into canals and cause extrusion of debris beyond the apex. This problem is solved by using side vented needles of smaller gauge (30 G) that leads to better irrigation and prevent extrusion of chemicals and debris outside the root apex.~In this study, the efficacy of all three different irrigation protocols will be compared and assessed based on post-operative pain, measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
The study compares the post operative pain after root canal therapy, after using different irrigation protocols. The subjects are divided into 3 groups and different irrigation protocol is used in each group. One group undergoes final irrigation after root canal therapy with a sonic activation device, and in he other two groups, side-vented and open-ended needles are used. Post operative pain is then compared at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hour intervals.