A recent study revealed that the size of apical preparation had a significant impact on postoperative pain levels. The results of this study were published in the journal BMC Oral Health. 
In this study, fifty teeth belonging to twenty-five individuals were separated into two equal groups, with twenty-five teeth in each group using E3 Azure rotary files. Group A was expanded by two sizes in relation to the Initial Binding File (IBF), extending to 40#/0.04 for the distal canals and 35#/0.04 for the mesial canals. Group B, on the other hand, was expanded by three sizes larger than the IBF: 45#/0.04 for the distal canals and 40#/0.04 for mesial canals. Patients were asked to rate their pain levels on a modified VAS form and describe their pain intensity at twelve, twenty-four, and seventy-two hours, as well as after a week. VAS data were analyzed using Freidman's test, Nemenyi post hoc test for intragroup comparisons and signed-rank test for intergroup comparisons.
The outcomes revealed that irrespective of the timing of the measurement, an enlargement of the apical preparation was significantly linked to increased pain scores (p value < 0.001). In both groups, there was a significant decline in reported pain scores over time, with scores at twelve-and twenty-four hours post-treatment significantly higher than those at other intervals (p value < 0.001). Additionally, pain scores at three days post-treatment were significantly higher than those at one week (p value < 0.001).
Thus, it can be concluded that apical preparation size significantly influenced postoperative pain levels.
 

A randomized controlled trial has demonstrated that both low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) are effective in reducing pain caused by orthodontic separation. 
The study involved 145 patients, divided into three groups: LLLT, LIPUS, and a control group that received no additional intervention beyond separator placement.
Pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at multiple time points over four days. The LLLT and LIPUS groups received three treatment doses—immediately after separator placement, and at 24 and 48 hours—applied to the maxillary and mandibular first molars. 
Both therapies significantly reduced pain compared to the control group at all assessment points (P < .001). The highest pain levels were reported 24 hours after separator placement, but patients receiving either LLLT or LIPUS experienced considerable relief.
Interestingly, there was no significant difference in pain reduction between the laser and ultrasound groups, indicating that both modalities are equally effective in managing orthodontic pain. 
This study highlights the potential of these non-invasive therapies in improving patient comfort during orthodontic procedures, offering a promising adjunct to standard treatment protocols for pain management without the need for pharmacological intervention.
 

A recent study has shown that dexamethasone is superior to saline in relieving postoperative pain when utilized as the final intracanal rinse after root canal instrumentation. This study's findings were published in the Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan.
Sixty patients aged 18 to 50 years, who had been diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were specifically chosen based on set criteria. Root canal therapy (RCT) was initiated under rubber dam after obtaining informed consent. The treatment included a pulpectomy followed by canal preparation. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (the experimental group) received dexamethasone (4 mg/mL in a 5-mL syringe) as a final rinse, and Group B (the control group) received saline as the final rinse. They were followed up after 1 week to determine the improvement of their pain. Following data collection, teeth were filled, and permanent restoration was placed. The Chi-square test was utilized for the analysis of the data.
Dexamethasone showed a significantly higher efficacy compared to saline as a final intracanal rinse, 86.67% and 20.0%, respectively (p value < 0.05), in alleviating postoperative pain in teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.
The above study demonstrated that dexamethasone has greater efficacy compared to saline in alleviating postoperative pain when utilized as the final intracanal rinse following root canal instrumentation. 
 

This split-mouth, randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in managing pain, edema, and trismus following the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. 
Thirty-seven patients with bilaterally impacted third molars received TENS on one side immediately after surgery (50 Hz, 100-µs pulse, 15 minutes for 6 days), while the contralateral side received a placebo treatment. Pain scores, the primary outcome, were recorded for 7 days postoperatively, while edema and trismus were assessed on days 2, 4, and 7.
Results indicated that the TENS group experienced significantly lower pain scores compared to the placebo group (P<0.05), with reduced analgesic consumption during the first three days post-surgery (P<0.001). Although postoperative edema was lower in the TENS group, this reduction was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Trismus, measured by inter-incisal distance, showed no significant difference on day 2 but was significantly improved in the TENS group thereafter (P<0.001).
TENS proved effective in reducing postoperative pain and trismus following impacted third molar surgery, supporting its use as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to alleviate postoperative symptoms and enhance recovery.