Purpose: This study was to explore the role of Er, Cr:YSGG water laser in relieving endodontic interappointment pain (EIAP) during root canal therapy.
Methods: A total of 272 cases with chronic pulpitis and chronic periapical periodontitis were selected from the Department of Endodontics of our hospital from June 2015 to June 2017, they were randomly divided into 2 groups, 136 cases in each group. After routine root canal preparation, the teeth in group A were sealed with calcium hydroxide paste after Er, Cr : YSGG water laser treatment, while teeth in group B were sealed with calcium hydroxide paste. Caviton (GC company, Japan) was used for temporary fillings in both groups, occurrence and outcomes of postoperative EIAP were recorded and compared. SPSS 17.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Among the two groups, there was no significant differences in EIAP (P>0.05) immediately and 1 week after surgery, but there was significant difference in the occurrence of EIAP between the first day, the second day and the third day after surgery (P<0.05). Group A had the lowest incidence of EIAP.
Conclusions: Er, Cr: YSGG water laser can effectively reduce pain after root canal therapy, and can effectively shorten pain duration for patients; therefore, it is worthy of wide clinical application.