The incidence of preoperative and postoperative pain in endodontic therapy

Summary. In this study the incidence of preoperative and postoperative pain of endodontic origin of 1204 teeth, treated by 10 dentists, was recorded. All endodontic treatments were completed in one visit except those where lack of time, continuing exudation or treatment to induce apexification did not permit it. The results show that postoperative pain occurred in approximately 29 per cent (7 per cent severe, 22 per cent moderate) of all visits and that there existed a strong positive correlation between the presence of preoperative pain and the incidence of postoperative pain. Based on this observation it is concluded that in studying postoperative pain after endodontic treatment knowledge of the preoperative status is a prerequisite. The results also showed that severe postoperative pain was usually reduced to a tolerable level within 3 days. Out of all treatments that were classified as emergency treatment the therapy chosen relieved the patient's pain in 35 per cent, while in 39 per cent it was reduced to moderate pain and in 14 per cent severe pain persisted. However, only 12 per cent of all these emergency treatments required further treatment.