A Comparative Evaluation of the Degree of Pain and MMP-9 Expression Following Instrumentation of Necrotic Pulps With Apical Periodontitis in One or Two Visits

This randomized clinical trial is designed as a parallel-group superiority study with an allocation ratio of 1:1. It is conducted at the postgraduate outpatient clinic of the Endodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. The target population includes adult patients aged between 18 and 40 years who present with straight, single-canaled permanent teeth diagnosed with necrotic pulp and chronic apical periodontitis. The diagnosis is confirmed using clinical criteria such as a negative response to cold testing, absence of spontaneous pain, and radiographic findings showing periapical radiolucency not exceeding 2×2 mm with a PAI score of 2 or 3. Only systemically healthy individuals (ASA I or II) who have not taken antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs in the past month and can comprehend the pain scoring system are included. Patients with acute infections, non-restorable teeth, prior root canal treatment, or significant systemic conditions are excluded.

Eligible patients are randomly assigned into two groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Allocation is concealed and handled by the co-supervisor. The experimental group receives single-visit root canal instrumentation, while the control group undergoes a two-visit protocol. In both groups, treatment begins with standard diagnostic procedures, local anesthesia, rubber dam isolation, and access cavity preparation. Before instrumentation, a baseline periapical fluid sample (PS-1) is collected by inserting sterile paper points beyond the apex into the canal for 60 seconds and storing them at -80°C for later MMP-9 analysis via ELISA.

In the single-visit group, biomechanical preparation is completed in one session using Fanta Blue rotary files with a 4% taper, progressing to size 40. Irrigation is performed with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite after each file, followed by saline as a final rinse. The access cavity is sealed temporarily with glass ionomer or IRM. Patients are instructed to record postoperative pain using a modified Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. One week later, a second periapical sample (PS-2) is collected under local anesthesia and rubber dam isolation.

The control group undergoes a two-visit protocol. In the first visit, canal preparation is only performed up to size 25, with the same irrigation and temporary sealing as in the experimental group. The second visit, one week later, includes collection of the second periapical sample (PS-2), followed by completion of instrumentation to size 40. All patients receive postoperative instructions and pain charts, and are asked to return after three days for chart collection and assessment.

The primary outcome of the study is the intensity of postoperative pain, measured at five time points using the modified VAS. The secondary outcome is the level of MMP-9 expression in the periapical tissues before and after treatment. Data are analyzed using IBM SPSS v22. Normality of data is tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. If data are normally distributed, independent t-tests are used to compare groups; otherwise, the Mann-Whitney U test is applied. Statistical significance is set at p ≤ 0.05.

To ensure data integrity, all forms are coded, stored securely, and access is restricted to the study team. Blinding is applied to patients, the outcome assessor, the lab technician performing ELISA, and the statistician. The sample size is calculated based on prior literature to detect a clinically significant difference in pain scores, leading to a total enrollment of 28 patients (14 per group), accounting for a 25% dropout rate.