Evaluation of Postoperative Pain Relief after Pulpotomy using Different Procedures for Disinfection and Hemostasis in Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate postoperative pain scores after sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and KTP laser pulpotomies in the permanent teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis retrospectively. Materials and Methods: This study is based on the records of patients treated with pulpotomy using sodium hypochlorite or KTP laser for disinfection and hemostasis at the Department of Endodontics. Sixty patients' molar teeth were treated with either NaOCl or KTP laser. Sodium hypochlorite was used on 31 teeth, and KTP laser was used on another 29 teeth, for disinfection and hemostasis. Initial bleeding control was obtained with saline. 2.5% NaOCl or KTP laser was applied to complete hemostasis. Calcium hydroxide was then placed on the chamber floor to cover the canal orifices. The permanent restoration was completed with composite resin. Pre and postoperative pain scores were recorded with a visual analog scale. The evaluation was performed on the 6th, 24th, 48th, 72nd hours, and 7th days depending on the severity of the pain. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic data and preoperative pain scores (P > 0.05). The postoperative pain score in the KTP laser group was significantly lower at the 24th hour than in the NaOCl group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the groups at other evaluated time intervals (P > 0.05). The greatest pain score was recorded at the 6th hour in both groups. Conclusion: Although the level of pain decreased significantly in both groups in the postoperative period, KTP laser-assisted pulpotomy provided better pain control, especially at the 24th hour.