Comparing Trypsin-Chymotrypsin and Naproxen Sodium for Post-endodontic Treatment Pain

i. Background Prevention or management of pain, especially after root canal treatment, is of utmost importance to Endodontists. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the most commonly used pain reduction modality in cases of irreversible pulpitis, but they do come with certain demerits. A lot of other alternatives have been researched as better alternatives for NSAIDs. Trypsin- Chymotrypsin has been proven to be an effective pain reducer after endodontic therapy.

ii. Objective The objective of this study is to compare the pain reduction efficacy of Trypsin- Chymotrypsin and Naproxen sodium after root canal treatment.

iii. Methodology In this triple-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial, a total of 100 patients will be included who are coming to the Operative Dentistry department for root canal treatment for any tooth. The patient must have a history of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The patients will be randomly allocated into two groups. One group (n = 50 will be the Trypsin- Chymotrypsin group, and the second group (n = 50) will be the Naproxen sodium group (active control group). The root canal treatment will be performed as usual. The first group will receive Trypsin- Chymotrypsin 1:100000 and the second group will receive Naproxen Sodium 550mg in sealed envelopes. The intensity of post-operative pain will be evaluated using a numerical rating scale at 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hour intervals.

iv. Sequence Generation: Computer generated randomization using appropriate software (random.org) to assign the participants to trypsin-chymotrypsin or naproxen sodium group, ensuring a complete random allocation to each treatment arm, decreasing a risk of bias and enhancing the internal validity of the study.

v. Blinding: The participants, researcher and outcome assessors will be blinded in this research (triple blinded).

vi. Allocation Concealment: The allocation concealment will be achieved by packaging medicines in tightly sealed, opaque envelopes by a different person not conducting research or assessing outcomes. This process ensured that researchers involved in participant enrollment could not predict or influence the treatment assignment, reducing the risk of selection bias.

Inclusion criteria

• Both male and female, healthy patients (ASA class 1).
• Patients between the age group of 18-45 years.
• Patients who are appointed for endodontic treatment.
• Maxillary or mandibular teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis based on delayed responses to vitality tests.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who will require emergency dental treatment.
• Teeth with any form of peri-apical lesion will be excluded.
• Patient who have taken analgesics within 24 hours prior to the treatment.
• Patients with known hypersensitivity or allergy to any of the study medications.
• Patients with any systemic disease such as uncontrolled diabetes, gastric ulcers, bleeding disorders, or cardiovascular problems.
• Pregnant or lactating women and pediatric patients.