Oral prophylactic use of diclofenac sodium for interappointment pain

Objectives:The present study was to investigate the incidence and intensity of interappointment pain during root canal therapy by taking diclofenac sodium prophylacticly or placebo.Methods:A total of 153 patients with 178 teeth presenting at the West China Stomatology Hospital's endodontic clinic, were included based on established criteria. After the completion of root canal instrumentation, the patients were randomized divided into two groups and were given either: (i) placebo; (ii) 100 mg diclofenac sodium per day for 3 consecutive days. Patients recorded pain intensity following treatments on a visual analogue scale everyday thereafter for a total of 7 days. The differences of pain incidences and pain levels were analyzed. Results:There was a significant group differences in the pain incidence of placebo group (33.7%) vs. test group (13.95%)(p<0.05). The incidence of interappointment pain was higher in placebo group at given time point during the 7 days after treatment. The pain intensity in placebo group was stronger than that in the test group, and the significant differences were also indicated between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions:oral prophylactic use of diclofenac sodium as interappointment pain medication after root canal preparation for 3 days could reduce both the incidence and intensity of interappointment pain.