Factors That May Predict Severe Pain in Root Canals

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB), March 27, 2015 – Princeview Dental (www.PrinceviewDental.com), one of Etobicoke’s premier dental clinics, is weighing in on a new study on factors that may predict severe pain in root canals for patients.

The Journal of Dental Research just put out a study in which it’s claimed that certain patient characteristics can determine whether or not they will experience extreme pain during a root canal. According to the study, the four factors the study assumed would best predict postoperative root canal pain were a diagnosis of symptomatic apical periodontitis, the intensity of pre-treatment pain, pain being made worse by stress, and the number of days that pain kept the patient from their usual activities. (Source: “4 Factors May Predict Severe Pain After Root Canal,” DrBicuspid.com, March 12, 2015; http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=orc&pag=dis&ItemID=317487.)

“The reason this study could be important is that if it’s possible to predict which of the patients will feel the most pain, dentists can adjust the doses of painkillers accordingly and better help patients deal with their recovery,” says Dr. Janice Mummery, founder of Princeview Dental.

Over 700 patients from six different countries were part of this assessment, most of whom were women. Carried out by the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, the study found that about 20% of patients experienced postoperative pain that could be considered severe.

“It was interesting because the only predictor of pain out of the four original hypotheses was diagnosis of symptomatic apical periodontitis,” Dr. Mummery adds. “The others turned out not to be considerable predictive factors.”

”Regardless of the results, any sound study that looks to improve patient treatment is positive and hopes these types of studies will continue. A quality dentist will always want to be up on the latest studies and news as it pertains to our industry,” Dr. Mummery concludes. “Whether it’s something like this, attempting to find predictors of pain after root canal surgery, or if it’s something simple, like a better way for us to clean teeth, progress is important.”

Visit the Princeview Dental web site at www.PrinceviewDental.com now for more information or to book an appointment.