Dental Materials in Pain Management: Exploring the Role of Endodontic Sealers in Reducing Post-Treatment Inflammation

Background: Post-operative pain and inflammation are often the result of endodontic treatment because of the extrusion of root canal filling materials and host tissue reaction. These undesirable consequences could be minimized through the development of dental materials, specifically bioactive and anti-inflammatory endodontic sealers. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of various endodontic sealers in reducing pain intensities among patients undergoing root canal treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2024 among 90 participants, underwent single root canal treatment. Root canal obturation was performed using zinc oxide eugenol-based sealer, epoxy resin-based sealer, and bio-ceramic-based sealer. Pain intensity with the help Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and clinical signs at the time of assessment were measured. ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to analyze data, where p < 0.05 was defined as significant. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean VAS scores across groups (p = 0.0008), with the highest figure given by zinc oxide eugenol (2.7 ± 1.0), followed by epoxy resin (1.6 ± 0.8), and bio-ceramic (2.6 ± 0.5). Periapical inflammation (tenderness, swelling) was significantly decreased in the bio-ceramic group (p = 0.01). Pain types distribution indicated that zinc oxide eugenol was significantly more prevalent with moderate and severe pain (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Bio-ceramic-based sealers demonstrated significant lower pain intensity and inflammation signs compared to epoxy resin and zinc oxide eugenol sealers. Their enhanced biocompatibility offers a possibility of better patient outcomes during endodontic treatment.