Evaluation of the Effect of Propolis versus Calcium Hydroxide, Intracanal Medicaments, on Post-Operative Pain in Patients with Necrotic Pulp (A Randomized Clinical Trial)

Aim: Propolis is an immunomodulatory, antioxidant, flavonoid-rich resinous product of honeybees. Propolis was reported as less cytotoxic and more effective against resistant microorganisms than calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ) as well as biocompatible to the periradicular tissues than existing intracanal medicaments. The aim of this single-blinded randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of propolis versus Ca(OH) 2 , intracanal medicaments, on post-operative pain in patients with necrotic single canal teeth.MethodsForty-six participants, aged 20–40 years, with necrotic pulp in their single-rooted, single canal teeth were randomized into this parallel study, with 23 participants in Ca(OH) 2 (control) group and 23 participants in propolis (intervention) group. Root canal treatment was done in two visits and the medicament was applied for one week in between. The participants were blinded to the medicament used. The participants rated their pain score by a numerical rating scale after 24, 48, 72 hours and at 7 days before medicament removal and canals obturated. The data was statistically analyzed by multivariate analysis and t-test. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05 for all tests.ResultsThe incidence of post-operative pain between both groups showed no statistically significant difference at different time intervals (p > 0.05). There was a non-significant, gradual decrease in post-operative pain of all 46 participants in both propolis (P = 0.17) and Ca(OH) 2 group (P = 0.274), at different time intervals.ConclusionsThe intracanal use of both Ca(OH) 2 and propolis were equally effective in controlling post-operative pain. Propolis can be used, as an alternative intracanal medicament, to Ca(OH) 2 paste.This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04983524