Comparative Evaluation of Calcium Hydroxide, Triple Antibiotic Paste, and Calcium Hydroxide with 2% Chlorhexidine as Intracanal Medicaments in Reducing Interappointment Pain during Endodontic Treatment: An In Vivo Study.

Aims and background: Root canal infections are primarily caused by microorganisms present within the pulp tissue and dentinal tubules. Intracanal medicaments are used to eliminate or suppress these microorganisms, reducing the risk of reinfection and promoting healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], triple antibiotic paste (TAP), and Ca(OH)2 with 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) as intracanal medicaments in reducing interappointment pain. Materials and methods: Ninety-two patients were randomly selected for this study, fitting the inclusion criteria. They were divided into four groups: group I (control group), group II [Ca(OH)2], group III (TAP), and group IV [Ca(OH)2 with 2% CHX (Ca(OH)2 + CHX)]. Intracanal medicament was placed following biomechanical preparation. The pain was measured using visual analog scale (VAS), and the scores were recorded at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant. The Chi-squared test and the t-test were used to compare pain scores between different groups and at different time periods of the study. Results: The preoperative mean pain scores were similar for all the groups, with no statistical difference between them. All treatment groups (groups II, III, and IV) had lower pain scores compared to the control group (group I) across all time points. Additionally, group III (TAP) consistently had the lowest pain scores among all groups at each time point, indicating potentially superior pain reduction efficacy compared to the other treatments. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, TAP and [Ca(OH)2 + CHX] are more effective at reducing pain compared to using Ca(OH)2 alone, with TAP providing the most significant benefit. Clinical significance: This research provides insightful information for the selection and use of intracanal medicaments in endodontic therapy, which can guide clinical decisions and enhance patient care. How to cite this article: Jain I, Agrawal S, Mathur R, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Calcium Hydroxide, Triple Antibiotic Paste, and Calcium Hydroxide with 2% Chlorhexidine as Intracanal Medicaments in Reducing Interappointment Pain during Endodontic Treatment: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(6):628-631.