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Postoperative Pain After OCT or EDTA Irrigation in Regenerative Endodontic Treatment

Effect of Different Irrigation Protocols on Postoperative Pain Following Regenerative Endodontic Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07722416
Enrollment
40
Registered
2026-07-23
Start date
2025-10-01
Completion date
2026-05-08
Last updated
2026-07-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Apical Periodontitis, Endodontic Disease

Keywords

apical periodontitis, immature permanent teeth, octenidine dihydrochloride, postoperative pain, regenerative endodontic treatment

Brief summary

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of two different irrigation solutions on postoperative pain following regenerative endodontic treatment of necrotic immature permanent teeth with apical periodontitis. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) or 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) during regenerative endodontic treatment. A total of 40 patients aged 9 to 16 years were included and allocated to the two intervention groups in a 1:1 ratio. Postoperative pain was recorded using a 0-100 numerical rating scale at 6, 12, and 24 hours and daily from the second through the seventh postoperative day. Analgesic use and the occurrence of flare-up were also evaluated.

Detailed description

Necrotic immature permanent teeth with apical periodontitis present a clinical challenge because incomplete root development is associated with thin dentinal walls, an open apex, and an increased risk of root fracture. Regenerative endodontic treatment is a biologically based procedure that aims to control intracanal infection, promote healing of the periapical tissues, and allow continued root development. Successful regenerative endodontic treatment requires effective root canal disinfection while preserving an environment that supports the survival and activity of stem cells from the apical papilla. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is commonly used in regenerative procedures because of its chelating properties, its ability to modify the dentin surface, and its potential to promote the release of dentin-derived bioactive molecules. Octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that has demonstrated antimicrobial activity and potentially favorable biological effects on dental-derived stem cells. However, clinical evidence regarding the use of OCT during regenerative endodontic treatment remains limited. This prospective, participant-blinded, parallel-group randomized clinical trial included 40 systemically healthy patients aged 9 to 16 years who had a necrotic immature permanent tooth with apical periodontitis. Eligible teeth had Cvek stage 2 or 3 root development and a baseline Periapical Index score between 2 and 4. Each participant contributed one tooth to the study. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two irrigation groups: 1. The OCT group received 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride. 2. The EDTA group received 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Regenerative endodontic treatment was performed in two visits. During the first visit, the root canal was initially irrigated with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite. The allocated OCT or EDTA solution was then applied and ultrasonically activated. Calcium hydroxide was placed as an intracanal medicament, and the access cavity was temporarily sealed. The second visit was performed approximately two weeks later. After removal of the intracanal medicament, the root canal was irrigated again according to the allocated protocol, and the irrigant was ultrasonically activated. Apical bleeding was induced to create an intracanal blood clot. Biodentine was placed over the blood clot as a coronal barrier, and the tooth was permanently restored with resin composite. The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity, which was recorded using a 0-100 numerical rating scale at 6, 12, and 24 hours and daily from day 2 through day 7 after the second treatment visit. Secondary outcomes included analgesic consumption and the occurrence of flare-up, defined as severe postoperative pain and/or swelling requiring an unscheduled clinical visit.

Interventions

OTHERRegenerative Endodontic Treatment Using Different Irrigation Solutions

Regenerative endodontic treatment was performed using either 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) or 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the allocated irrigation solution. In both groups, 20 mL of the assigned irrigant was applied for 5 minutes during each treatment visit and ultrasonically activated for 1 minute.

Sponsors

TC Erciyes University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

This was a participant-blinded trial. Participants were not informed of the irrigant assigned to their treatment. The treating clinicians could not be blinded because they administered the allocated irrigant. Postoperative pain was self-recorded by the participants using standardized forms, and intervention group codes were concealed during statistical analysis.

Intervention model description

Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel intervention arms. One arm received 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride, and the other arm received 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid during regenerative endodontic treatment. Each participant remained in the assigned intervention arm throughout the study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Systemically healthy status classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists class I; * An immature permanent tooth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis; * Cvek stage 2 or 3 root development; * Preoperative pain below 40 on a 0-100 numerical rating scale (NRS); * A baseline Periapical Index (PAI) score between 2 and 4; * A tooth considered restorable and suitable for RET; and * Willingness of the participant and legal representative to comply with postoperative assessment and follow-up requirements.

Exclusion criteria

* systemic disease * bruxism or another parafunctional habit * had used analgesics within 12 hours before treatment * severe root canal curvature * vertical root fracture

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative Pain Intensity Measured Using a Numerical Rating ScaleAt 6, 12, and 24 hours and daily from Day 2 through Day 7 after the second treatment visitPostoperative pain intensity was self-recorded by participants using a numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 indicated no pain and 100 indicated the worst pain imaginable. Higher scores indicated greater postoperative pain intensity. Pain scores were recorded after the second regenerative endodontic treatment visit.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative Analgesic ConsumptionAt 6, 12, and 24 hours and daily from Day 2 through Day 7 after the second treatment visitParticipants were instructed to use paracetamol only when postoperative pain persisted. A dose of 250 to 500 mg was recommended according to the participant's age and body weight. The number of paracetamol tablets taken at each assessment time was recorded as 0, 1, or 2. Higher values indicated greater analgesic consumption.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 24, 2026