The Effect of Novel Cryotherapy Technique on Postoperative Pain for Pulpotomy in Permanent Molars with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cryotherapy application on postoperative pain in permanent molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis after full pulpotomy procedures.

Methods

Sixty-two patients with permanent maxillary and mandibular molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included in the study. The teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 32) and the cryotherapy group (n = 30). In both groups, cotton pellets moistened with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite were used to achieve hemostasis. In the cryotherapy group, after hemostasis was achieved, the pulpotomy area was irrigated with saline solution at 2.5°C for 5 minutes. Then, in both groups, the pulp chamber was covered with Bio mineral trioxide aggregate+ (Cerkamed Company, Poland) and the composite restoration of the teeth (Clearfil Majesty Posterior, Kuraray Medical Inc., Tokyo, Japan) was completed. The participants were asked to rate the intensity of their postoperative pain via a Visual Analog Scale at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Levene's, Student t, Repeated Measures ANOVA and the Chi-square test.

Results

The basic demographic data and analgesic intake of the 2 study groups were similar. Compared with those in the control group, the postoperative pain scores at 6 and 12 hours were significantly lower in the cryotherapy group (P < .05). The postoperative pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours were similar in both study groups.

Conclusions

During vital pulp treatment, the cryotherapy application after hemostasis reduced postoperative pain in permanent molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in the early period.