NCT07254260

Photodynamic Therapy and Post-Endodontic Pain in Undergraduate-Performed Treatments

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Postendodontic Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 95 (actual)
• Sponsor: Atlas University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

To compare the intensity and trajectory of postoperative pain (0-72 hours) between (A) a conventional final irrigation protocol without activation and (B) a PDT-augmented final disinfection in mandibular molars and premolars.

Detailed description

This retrospective controlled clinical cohort study investigated the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on post-endodontic pain in mandibular molars and premolars treated by undergraduate students. Eligible patients were selected from the Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Dentistry clinics. Inclusion criteria encompassed adult patients requiring endodontic treatment in posterior teeth, without systemic contraindications or signs of acute apical abscess. Participants were assigned to one of two groups: (A) conventional final irrigation without activation (control), and (B) PDT-augmented final disinfection (experimental). All treatments were performed by undergraduate dental students under faculty supervision. Root canals were shaped using a standardized rotary instrumentation protocol. In both groups, final irrigation included 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), followed by 17% EDTA for smear layer removal. In the experimental group, after completion of the same irrigation regimen, a methylene blue photosensitizer was introduced into the canal and allowed to remain for 60 seconds. The dye was subsequently activated using an intra-canal diode laser fiber for 60 seconds per canal, following manufacturer instructions for photodynamic therapy. All canals were obturated at the second visit using the single-cone technique. Postoperative pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment. Additional variables such as analgesic consumption, incidence of flare-ups, unscheduled visits, and the time required to achieve a pain-free state were also recorded. This study aimed to determine whether adjunctive PDT could reduce early post-endodontic pain in treatments performed by undergraduate practitioners.

Conditions

• Pulpitis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Photodynamic Therapy	the Easyinsmile endo-type light guard tip (diameter: 200 µm; emission wavelength: 630 ± 10 nm; optical power density: approximately 100 mW/cm²) was inserted into the canal. Photoactivation was then performed for 30 seconds per canal (10 second periods x 3).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-01
• Primary completion: 2025-09-30
• Completion: 2025-09-30
• First posted: 2025-11-28
• Last updated: 2025-11-28

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)