Postoperative assessment of chronic signs and symptoms related to infected primary molars after pulpectomy using rotary versus manual systems: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Context Management of infected primary teeth is a challenging aspect in pediatric dentistry especially in younger children. Pedodontists need to be confident in expecting the prognosis after pulpectomy in these teeth. Aims Clinical assessment of infected primary molars after using rotary and manual systems to resolve chronic signs and symptoms (provoked pain, fistula, chronic abscess, mobility). Radiographic assessment of periapical (furcal) pathosis healing, and obturation quality of mesial and distal canals. Settings and design Patients were selected from the outpatient clinic of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department. Design A randomized controlled clinical trial, parallel study design with two arms 1: 1 allocation ratio. Patients and methods Forty nonvital primary molars in children aged 4–8 years old were allocated randomly in two groups; group A (Hyflex rotary file with variable taper), group B (stainless steel manual file 2% taper). Statistical analysis used Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26 for Windows. Results Group A and group B showed resolution of provoked pain within few weeks. Both groups showed complete resolution of related fistula within the first month. One molar in each group showed recurrence of fistula after 6 months. Pathological mobility and periapical pathosis (radiolucency) were improved after 6 months in all patients in both groups. Both groups showed superior obturation quality at baseline. There was no statistical significance difference in overall clinical and radiographic success in both groups. Conclusion Both techniques (rotary and manual) showed resolution of chronic signs and symptoms clinically as well as radiographically.