Post-Endodontic Treatment Flare-Up of Patients Treated By General Dentists and Endodontic Specialists

Objective: This study aims to determine post-endodontic flare-up incidence for patients treated by endodontic specialists and general dental practitioners. Methods: The investigators measured the postoperative pain using a visual analog scale after 24 and 48 hours for patients treated endodontically by specialists and general dentists. The patient factors and operative variables were documented for every patient. The data was then analyzed using SPSS. A Chi-square test was used to evaluate a relationship between categorical variables, where a P < 0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance. Results: In total, 143 participants were included in this study (male: n=62, 43.3%; and female: n=81, 56.7%). The incidence of post-endodontic treatment flare-ups was 14.8%. The incidence of 48 hours postoperative pain was higher (29%) with the endodontic specialists compared to the general practitioners. The factors that were associated with a higher postoperative flare-up include; patient age, smoking, preoperative pain, and periapical lesion size. Conclusion: Post-endodontic flare-up incidence in this study was within the reported range of flare-up. Patient factors are associated with the occurrence of the postoperative flare-up more than the operative factors.