Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the patient's postoperative discomfort when root canal irrigation was performed either with standard sodium hypochlorite or with sodium hypochlorite with the adjunct of a proteolytic enzyme.
Methods: Two hundred patients were endodontically treated in two clinics. The type of irrigant to be used during root canal instrumentation was randomly assigned. Final irrigation was done using EDTA 17%. The canals were filled by warm vertical condensation with guttha-percha and the coronal seal was made using IRM. Patients were given a questionnaire to assess pain and swelling and the number of analgesics and other drugs taken during the first week after treatment.
Results: A total of 166 questionnaires could have been evaluated. No significant difference was found between groups for pain, swelling and analgesics taken. Moderate pain and swelling was reported only in the first two days after treatment. No antibiotics use was reported. No guttha-percha excess beyond root apex was found by radiographic assessment.
Conclusions: The irrigating solution containing a proteolytic enzyme does not produce greater postoperative discomfort as compared to the conventional sodium hypochlorite in patients undergoing endodontic therapy.