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NCT Number: NCT07603934

The Effect of Different Intra-canal Medications on Postoperative Pain

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of ibuprofen, nitrofurantoin, and calcium hydroxide on postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of necrotic mandibular posterior teeth

Research question/hypothesis:

In patients with necrotic pulps in their mandibular posterior teeth, there would be no difference in the incidence and/or severity of postoperative pain after the use of ibuprofen, nitrofurantoin, or calcium hydroxide intracanal medications.

The study will evaluate postoperative pain after using either of the tested drugs as an intracanal medication amidst visits. of endodontic treatment in cases where pulp necrosis is confirmed.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Egyptian Russian University

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 4450113, Egypt

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Maha Nasr, Assistant Professor

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Maha Nasr, Assistant professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

01114367063

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

  • Trial design:
  • A Randomized controlled, double-blind, parallel-arm, clinical trial.
  • Allocation ratio 1:1:1
  • Framework: superiority
  • Study settings:

Outpatient clinic of Endodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, Egyptian Russian University, Badr city, Cairo governorate, Egypt.

  • Eligibility criteria
  • Inclusion criteria:
  • Patients with necrotic pulps.
  • Adult, healthy patients, older than 18 years old
  • Males and females.
  • Patient with the ability to understand and use pain scales.
  • Patient who accepts enroll to the study.
  • Exclusion criteria:
  • Patients' allergies or any other contraindication to any of the medications used.
  • Pregnant and lactating females.
  • Patients have been taking pain medication 12 hours earlier.
  • Patients who have more than one symptomatic mandibular tooth in the same quadrant.
  • Patients with contributory medical history (ASA>II).
  • Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of pulp necrosis is confirmed through the patients' history, lack of response to cold testing and negative response to electric pulp tester whenever .The treatment will be done on two- visits.

  • Treatment procedure: Each patient will be given an NRS chart to rate her /his presenting pain as preoperative pain. After complete mechanical preparation, each patient will be randomly assigned to either of three groups as follows, group 1: ibuprofen will be used as an intracanal medication, group 2: nitrofurantoin will be used as an intra canal medication and group 3: CaOH will be used as an intracanal medicament. The access cavity will be then sealed with temporary filling (MD-TEMP, META BIOMED CO., LTD. Chungbuuk, Korea). Post-operative instructions and appropriate post-operative rescue medication will be prescribed (400mg Ibuprofen). All patients will be asked to record their postoperative pain level felt on NRS at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days.

One week after the first visit, patients will be recalled to the clinic to complete their root canal treatment as recommended. All canals will be dried then obturated by the modified single cone technique using 0.04 taper gutta percha points and epoxy resin sealer. Patients will be referred to an operative or a fixed prosthodontics specialist for crown placement at the Faculty of Dentistry, Egyptian Russian University.

Research objective (state the aim) The aim of this study is to assess the effect of ibuprofen, nitrofurantoin and calcium hydroxide on postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of necrotic mandibular posterior teeth.

Sample size: (if calculation equation is used please state) A total of 111 patients, 37 per group needed for the clinical trial was calculated

Grouping & Randomization used:(specify if present) Three groups Group 1: ibuprofen Group 2: nitrofurantoin Group 3: calcium hydroxide

Outcome variables:

The primary outcome the effect of ibuprofen, nitrofurantoin and calcium hydroxide on postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of necrotic mandibular posterior teeth.

Postoperative pain will be measured using NRS at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours postoperatively. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (20): It is an 11-point scale consisting of numbers from 0 through 10; - 0 reading represents "no pain" - 1-3 readings represent "mild pain" - 4- 6 readings represent "moderate pain" - 7- 10 readings represent "severe pain"

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with necrotic pulps.
  • Adult, healthy patients, older than 18 years old
  • Males and females.
  • Patient with the ability to understand and use pain scales.
  • Patient who accepts enroll to the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients' allergies or any other contraindication to any of the medications used.
  • Pregnant and lactating females.
  • Patients have been taking pain medication 12 hours earlier.
  • Patients who have more than one symptomatic mandibular tooth in the same quadrant.
  • Patients with contributory medical history (ASA>II).

Treatment and study plan

Ibuprofen

Drug

Ibuprofen. a NSAID, will be ground and formed into a paste to be placed inside the root canals of necrotic mandibular posterior teeth, to explore its effects on post-operative pain

Nitrofurantoin

Drug

Nitrofurantoin tablets will be formed into a paste to be placed inside the root canals of necrotic mandibular premolars during endodontic treatment.

Calcium hydroxide

Drug

Calcium Hydroxide intracanal medicament will be placed inside the root canals of mandibular necrotic posterior teeth during endodontic treatment.

Primary outcomes

  1. Intensity of Postoperative pain

    Time frame: Baseline (preoperative) and at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after placement of the intracanal medicament.

    Postoperative pain intensity will be self-reported by patients using an 11-point Numerical rating scale (NRS), where 0 represents "no paon" and 10 represents "the worst immaginable pain"

Secondary outcomes

  1. Incidence of Postoperative pain

    Time frame: Up to 72 hours after placement of intracanal medicament

    The percentage of patients experiencing any postoperative pain (NRS=0) within the follow-up period

  2. Postoperative Analgesic Consumption

    Time frame: Up to 72 hours postoperatively

    The total amount of prescribed analgesics consumed by the oatient. this will be measured by counting the total number of Ibuprofen 400 mg tablets taken by patients.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Collaborators

  • Egyptian Russian University
  • Fayoum University

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Postoperative Pain After Using Ibuprofen, Nitrofurantoin, or Calcium Hydroxide as Intracanal Medicaments in Root Canal Treatment of Necrotic Mandibular Posterior Teeth. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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