Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present research evaluated and compared effectiveness between nitrofurantoin and double antibiotic paste in alleviating post-operative pain in patients suffering from symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. METHODS: There were 60 subjects enrolled who were allotted among three groups: Group 1 - Nitrofurantoin, Group 2 - double antibiotic paste, and Group 3 - Control. Succeeding access opening and chemo mechanical preparation, intracanal medicament was placed in the root canals. Using a numerical pain scale, pain scores were measured at the following time intervals: preoperative, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. One-way ANOVA and post hoc statistical analysis were conducted, with a p-value of ⩽ considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Preoperatively, most patients experienced moderate to severe pain. The patients in groups 1 and 2 reported considerable reduction in their pain scores (p ⩽ 0.001) on each time interval. However, patients in group 3 experienced a higher level of pain even at 72 h. No considerable distinction was found among participant's pain scores of groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.193). CONCLUSION: For effective pain-relieving, both nitrofurantoin and double antibiotic paste can be successfully used in patients suffering from symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. However, when calcium hydroxide was used, patients experience high levels of pain.