Comparing Two Root Canal Cleaning Solutions (Chlorhexidine vs. Sodium Hypochlorite) for Pain After Treatment

NCT07453160 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SCOD-endo-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Brief Summary (A short description for the lay public) This study aims to find out if the type of cleaning solution used during a root canal affects the pain a patient feels the next day. A root canal procedure involves cleaning the inside of the tooth. Two common cleaning solutions are chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, also known as bleach). While both are effective, it is not clear if one causes more discomfort than the other. In this research, half of the participants will have their root canal cleaned with CHX, and the other half with NaOCl. We will then ask all participants to rate their pain 24 hours after the procedure using a simple pain scale. Our goal is to see if there is a difference in pain levels between the two groups. The results will help dentists choose the best solution to make their patients more comfortable after treatment

Conditions

Postoperative Pain

Keywords

Postoperative pain; Root canal treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Postoperative pain intensity at 24 hours

  Pain intensity measured using a 4-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS): 0 = no pain, 1 = mild pain, 2 = moderate pain (required analgesics with relief), 3 = severe pain (analgesics no relief). Patient-reported 24 hours post-treatment.

  24 hours after root canal treatment completion

• Postoperative pain intensity at 24 hours

  Pain intensity measured using a 4-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS): 0 = no pain, 1 = mild pain, 2 = moderate pain (required analgesics with relief), 3 = severe pain (analgesics no relief). Patient-reported 24 hours post-treatmen

  24 hours after root canal treatment completion

Study Arms (2)

2% Chlorhexidine Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Root canal irrigation with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution. 2 mL after each instrument, 27-gauge side-vented needle, 1-2 mm short of working length, passive flow 2-4 mL/min.

Procedure: Chlorhexidine gluconate 2%; Drug: Sodium hypochlorite 5.25%

5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Root canal irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution. 2 mL after each instrument, 27-gauge side-vented needle, 1-2 mm short of working length, passive flow 2-4 mL/min.

Procedure: Chlorhexidine gluconate 2%; Drug: Sodium hypochlorite 5.25%

Interventions

Chlorhexidine gluconate 2% PROCEDURE

2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution used as root canal irrigant. Clear, colorless, odorless liquid. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial with substantivity (binds to dental tissues, prolonged effect up to 72 hours). Does not dissolve organic tissue. Lower cytotoxicity than NaOCl. Applied at 2 mL per instrument, delivered via 27-gauge side-vented Max-i-Probe needle placed 1-2 mm short of working length, passive flow at 2-4 mL/min, continuous needle motion. Room temperature. Final irrigation with same solution

2% Chlorhexidine Group; 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite Group

Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% DRUG

5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution used as root canal irrigant. Pale yellow liquid with characteristic chlorine odor. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial with rapid bactericidal action. Dissolves organic pulp tissue and necrotic debris. Cytotoxic to periapical tissues if extruded. No substantivity. Applied at 2 mL per instrument, delivered via 27-gauge side-vented Max-i-Probe needle placed 1-2 mm short of working length, passive flow at 2-4 mL/min, continuous needle motion. Room temperature. Final irrigation with same solution.

2% Chlorhexidine Group; 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18-65 years
• Any gender
• Requiring non-surgical root canal treatment
• Willing to provide written informed consent
• Able to report postoperative pain using a validated pain assessment scale -

You may not qualify if:

• Systemic conditions affecting pain perception (e.g., diabetes with neuropathy, fibromyalgia)
• Medications affecting pain perception (e.g., chronic analgesics, corticosteroids, antidepressants)
• Preoperative dental pain in the tooth scheduled for treatment
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Teeth with resorbed roots
• Mobile teeth (pathological mobility)
• Open apices

Sponsors & Collaborators

• College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Postoperative

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Faiz Rahman, BDS

CONTACT

+923451505838; faizr3702@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Postgraduate Resident, Department of Operative Dentistry

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2026
• First Posted: March 5, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 15, 2026
• Study Completion: June 15, 2026
• Last Updated: March 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03