Comparison of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gel as intracanal medicament in relieving interappointment pain: Effect of gender and age.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was done to compare calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and chlorhexidine (CHX) in relieving interappointment pain, in addition to observe influence of gender and age. Study Design: Randomized Control trial. Setting: Department of Operative Dentistry, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. Period: 3^rd October 2016 to 20^th May 2017. Material & Methods: 100 subjects were divided into 2 groups of 50, group A (Ca(OH)₂) and group B (CHX). Information was recorded regarding the gender, age, intracanal medicament used, VAS pain scores of preoperative pain, 24 hours, 48 hours and on the 4^th day of placing medicament. Change in pain scores was assessed as the main outcome variable. Results: VAS score mean difference for both medicaments was significant for 24 hours, 48 hours and 4^th day (p < 0.0005. CHX medicament decreased pain more as compared to Ca(OH)₂. Age had no significant effect on VAS score decrease but females had significant decrease in pain (p=0.04). Conclusion: CHX decreased the mean interappointment pain score more as compared to Ca(OH)_2.