Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to compare patient experience of quality of life following surgical endodontic treatment using 2 different techniques: a technique that included the use of a dental operating microscope, root resection with minimal bevel and retrograde preparation with ultrasonic tips, and a traditional technique that included root resection with a 45 degrees bevel and retrograde preparation by bur performed without magnification.
Study design: The study consisted of 66 patients referred for surgical endodontic treatment. One operator (I.T.) carried out all treatment. An equal number of patients were assigned to each group. Group 1 was treated by the traditional technique without an operating microscope and Group 2 by a technique using an operating microscope and minimal osteotomy. All patients were given a questionnaire with 15 questions to evaluate their quality of life for 7 days postsurgery.
Results: On day 5, patients in Group 1 reported significantly more pain and took significantly more analgesics (P < .05). On days 1 and 2, patients in Group 2 reported significantly more difficulty in mouth opening, mastication, and the ability to speak (P < .05).
Conclusion: Patients in both groups reported a high incidence of symptoms. The technique using the operating microscope provided significantly less postoperative pain, but more difficulties in mouth opening, mastication, and the ability to speak immediately postoperatively.