A Clinical Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Intracanal Medicaments, XP-7/Prednisolone and 1% PCP/Prednisolone, in Reduction and Duration of Post-Treatment Pain

This study was undertaken to determine which intracanal medication, 1% aqueous parachlorophenol with prednisolone or XP-7 with prednisolone was the most effective in reducing the severity and duration of post-treatment pain following initial, conventional endodontic therapy. The investigation was conducted by five endodontists in their private offices and utilized a double-blind technique. The postoperative reactions of 343 patients were examined statistically. It was shown that there was no statistically significant difference in the reduction or duration of post-treatment pain with either drug. Other factors such as sex, age, location of tooth and presence of a radiographic lesion were statistically significant in influencing post-treatment discomfort. This study suggests that a nearly ideal intracanal medication such as 1% parachlorophenol with prednisolone with its nontoxic, noninflammatory properties exhibits no greater effect on painful postoperative sequelae than a more irritating medication such as XP-7 with prednisolone