Impact of intracanal cryotherapy on postoperative pain and antimicrobial efficacy in primary teeth: A randomized clinical trial
Abstract
Context: Postoperative pain and persistent microbial contamination remain significant challenges in pediatric endodontics following pulpectomy. Intracanal cryotherapy has emerged as a promising adjunct because of its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. However, its effectiveness requires further clinical evaluation. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of intracanal cryotherapy using cold saline (2°C–4°C) with room temperature saline (25°C–30°C) on postoperative pain and antimicrobial efficacy during the pulpectomy procedure in primary teeth. Settings and Design: A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving 30 children (3–7 years) requiring pulpectomy in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I (room temperature saline) and Group II (cryotherapy with cold saline). Postoperative pain was assessed using the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h posttreatment. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated by comparing colony-forming units (CFUs) before and after irrigation via microbiological analysis. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0. Paired t- tests/Wilcoxon for intragroup; independent t-test/Mann–Whitney for intergroup were applied. Results: Both groups showed significant intragroup pain reduction over 6, 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05), with cryotherapy exhibiting lower mean scores but no intergroup differences (P > 0.05). Microbial counts decreased significantly within groups (P = 0.001: Group I: 4.23–2.21 and Group II: 3.69–0.68), with cryotherapy superior postintervention (P < 0.001). No baseline differences were existed. Conclusions: Intracanal cryotherapy with cold saline is an effective, simple, and cost-efficient method for reducing postoperative pain and enhancing antimicrobial efficacy in primary teeth pulpectomy.
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BibTeX
@article{jain2026impact,
title = {{Impact of intracanal cryotherapy on postoperative pain and antimicrobial efficacy in primary teeth: A randomized clinical trial}},
author = {Itika Jain and Shivani Mathur and Sakshi Joshi and Diksha Bhat and Shikha Choubey and Urvashi Verma},
journal = {Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_358_26},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_358_26},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of intracanal cryotherapy on postoperative pain and antimicrobial efficacy in primary teeth: A randomized clinical trial
AU - Itika Jain
AU - Shivani Mathur
AU - Sakshi Joshi
AU - Diksha Bhat
AU - Shikha Choubey
AU - Urvashi Verma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
DO - 10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_358_26
UR - https://doi.org/10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_358_26
AB - Context: Postoperative pain and persistent microbial contamination remain significant challenges in pediatric endodontics following pulpectomy. Intracanal cryotherapy has emerged as a promising adjunct because of its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. However, its effectiveness requires further clinical evaluation. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of intracanal cryotherapy using cold saline (2°C–4°C) with room temperature saline (25°C–30°C) on postoperative pain and antimicrobial efficacy during the pulpectomy procedure in primary teeth. Settings and Design: A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving 30 children (3–7 years) requiring pulpectomy in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I (room temperature saline) and Group II (cryotherapy with cold saline). Postoperative pain was assessed using the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h posttreatment. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated by comparing colony-forming units (CFUs) before and after irrigation via microbiological analysis. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0. Paired t- tests/Wilcoxon for intragroup; independent t-test/Mann–Whitney for intergroup were applied. Results: Both groups showed significant intragroup pain reduction over 6, 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05), with cryotherapy exhibiting lower mean scores but no intergroup differences (P > 0.05). Microbial counts decreased significantly within groups (P = 0.001: Group I: 4.23–2.21 and Group II: 3.69–0.68), with cryotherapy superior postintervention (P < 0.001). No baseline differences were existed. Conclusions: Intracanal cryotherapy with cold saline is an effective, simple, and cost-efficient method for reducing postoperative pain and enhancing antimicrobial efficacy in primary teeth pulpectomy.
SN - 0970-4388
SN - 1998-3905
ER -