One-visit versus multiple-visit endodontic therapy — a review

Abstract

A growing perception in endodontic circles is that root canal therapy requires one treatment visit only. One-visit endodontics offers many potential advantages. It is less time-consuming, resulting in less cost for the patient, potentially more profit for the dentist, less painful and less traumatic than multi-visit treatment. Conversely, if the pulp is necrotic and/or associated with periradicular disease, the root canal system is infected. In these cases, the root canal system should ideally be cleaned, an intracanal medication placed, and the canal filled at a second visit. In this paper we aim to review several aspects of one-visit versus multi-visit endodontic treatment and future perspectives in this field.

An endodontic practice profile amongst general dental practitioners in Kathmandu: A questionnaire survey

“…Single-visit root canal treatment offers several advantages such as a reduced flare-up rate, good patient acceptance, less 45 time-consuming, resulting in less cost for the patient, potentially more profit for the dentist, less painful and less traumatic than multi-visit treatment. 9,10 On the other hand, bacterial eradication cannot be predictably maximized without intracanal medicament between appointments; thus, the potential for healing may be compromised. 11 However, no detectable difference was found in the effectiveness of root canal treatment in terms of radiologic success between single and multiple visits.…”

Influence of a Passive Sonic Irrigation System on the Elimination of Bacteria from Root Canal Systems: A Clinical Study

“…The timing of when to complete nonsurgical root canal treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis is controversial (4,5). In controlled, clinical settings, it has been shown that treatment in at least 2 visits with calcium hydroxide disinfection results in improved healing rates (6).…”

Redefining Single Visit Endodontic Protocol

“…'Crown down' and 'step back' techniques are two methods in root canal preparation based on direction of instrumentation; the former starts from the coronal part of the canal towards the apical area where as the latter is in the reverse direction. 1 NiTi rotary instruments in a crown down approach for canal preparation were used in these patients which ensured a flared preparation with small apical enlargement. NiTi files are cited to produce well shaped canals with few iatrogenic problems than stainless steel versions and to have less postoperative pain, due to its file design and the crown down modality.…”

“…Though multi visit RCT has been a time tested protocol in endodontics, the single visit version has recently generated considerable interest, notwithstanding its reporting even as early as in 1880s. 1 Multi visit endodontics has provision for addressing episodes of 'infective flare ups' through intra canal dressings (calcium hydroxide) and antibacterial agents, followed by obturation in subsequent visits. 2 The hydroxyl ions from highly alkaline calcium hydroxide reduce bacterial growth in root canals through lysis of its proteins/toxins and minimize the inflammatory reactions by inhibiting interleukins (IL1α), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and calcitonin gene related peptides (CGRP).…”