Comparison of Endodontic Flare up in Single Visit Root Canal Treatment Versus Multiple Visit Root Canal Treatment in Patients Visiting Scd, Swat.

This randomized controlled trial is designed to compare the frequency of endodontic flare-ups following single-visit versus multiple-visit root canal treatment in patients presenting to Saidu College of Dentistry, Swat. An endodontic flare-up is defined as a significant postoperative complication characterized by unexpected severe pain and/or swelling occurring within hours to a few days after treatment and requiring unscheduled clinical intervention. The study will include 344 patients aged above 10 and below 60 years, with deep caries and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis or symptomatic apical periodontitis in permanent first molars. All selected teeth will have complete root formation and periapical radiolucencies not exceeding 3x3 mm. Patients with systemic diseases, pregnancy, current or recent use of antibiotics, NSAIDs or corticosteroids, facial cellulitis, severe mobility, frank pus discharge, or significant root resorption will be excluded. The sample size is calculated using WHO sample size calculator with 80% power, 5% margin of error, and expected flare-up proportions of 18.3% for single-visit and 8.1% for multiple-visit groups based on prior research. Patients meeting inclusion criteria will be selected through purposive non-probability sampling and randomly assigned into two groups (single-visit and multiple-visit) using a lottery method. All patients will undergo a standardized treatment protocol including local anesthesia with 2% lidocaine and 1:100,000 epinephrine, rubber dam isolation, access preparation, canal irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, and biomechanical preparation using ProTaper Universal rotary files. Working length will be determined using a Woodpecker apex locator and confirmed with radiographs. Apical patency will be maintained using a #10 K-file, and the apical width will be prepared three sizes larger than the initial binding file.

In the single-visit group, cleaning, shaping, and obturation will be completed in the same appointment, followed by restoration with light-cured glass ionomer cement. In the multiple-visit group, cleaning and shaping will be completed in the first appointment with medicament placement, and obturation will be performed in a subsequent visit. All canals will be obturated using the cold lateral compaction technique with gutta-percha and Kerr Sealapex sealer. After treatment, a final periapical radiograph will be taken. Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment. Swelling will be graded on a 0-3 scale. A flare-up will be recorded if the patient reports pain ≥7 on the VAS or swelling grade ≥2 requiring analgesics or emergency care. Patients will be contacted via phone for pain monitoring, and instructed to report any sudden worsening of symptoms. Data will be recorded in a structured proforma.

The primary outcome measure is the incidence of endodontic flare-ups within 48 hours post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain intensity and need for unscheduled care. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS v23. Mean and standard deviation will be calculated for continuous variables like age, and frequency and percentages for categorical variables like gender and flare-up incidence. The chi-square test will be used to compare flare-up rates between groups. Stratification will be done by age and gender to identify effect modifiers, and post-stratification chi-square or Fisher's exact test will be used as appropriate. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant. The study aims to address the current gap in local literature regarding endodontic flare-ups in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa population and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment protocols for better pain management in routine dental practice.