Table 1 Independent variables according to treatment groups (*Significant result, p < 0.05)

Obturation method

Thermafil

155 (56 %)

79 (30 %)

<0.01*

Lateral condensation

120 (44 %)

184 (70 %)

Use of loupe

Yes

104 (38 %)

139 (53 %)

<0.01*

No

171 (62 %)

124 (47 %)

Operator’s experience

<=10 years

121 (44 %)

188 (71 %)

<0.01*

>10 years

154 (56 %)

75 (29 %)

Gender

Male

131 (48 %)

102 (39 %)

0.04*

Female

144 (52 %)

161 (61 %)

Arch

Upper

172 (63 %)

148 (56 %)

0.14

Lower

103 (37 %)

115 (44 %)

Tooth position

Anterior

92 (33 %)

43 (16 %)

<0.01*

Posterior

183 (67 %)

220 (84 %)

Canal

Single

142 (52 %)

77 (29 %)

<0.01*

Multiple

133 (48 %)

186 (71 %)

C-shaped canal

Yes

5 (2 %)

17 (6 %)

0.01*

No

270 (98 %)

246 (94 %)

Periodontal pocket

Yes

25 (9 %)

32 (12 %)

0.25

No

250 (91 %)

231 (88 %)

Apical periodontitis

Yes

110 (40 %)

100 (38 %)

0.64

No

165 (60 %)

163 (62 %)

Tender to percussion

Yes

74 (27 %)

108 (41 %)

<0.01*

No

201 (73 %)

155 (59 %)

Hypermobility

Yes

6 (2 %)

12 (5 %)

0.12

No

269 (98 %)

251 (95 %)

Abscess or sinus tract

Yes

23 (8 %)

27 (10 %)

0.45

No

252 (92 %)

236 (90 %)

Tooth vitality

Vital

101 (37 %)

118 (45 %)

0.05

Non-vital

174 (63 %)

145 (55 %)

Opposing tooth

Yes

261 (95 %)

252 (96 %)

0.62

No

14 (5 %)

11 (4 %)

Post-operative pain after 1 day

Pain

68 (25 %)

88 (33 %)

0.03*

No pain

207 (75 %)

175 (67 %)

Post-operative pain after 7 days

Pain

11 (4 %)

14 (5 %)

0.47

No pain

264 (96 %)

249 (95 %)

Independent variable

All cases

Single-visit

Multiple-visit

p-value

Mean (SD)

Mean (SD)

Mean (SD)

Treatment Time (n = 538)

51.07 (30.59)

44.85 (26.57)

57.57 (33.11)

<0.01*

Pre-operative pain intensity (n = 538)

2.04 (2.93)

1.18 (2.32)

2.93 (3.23)

<0.01*

Pain intensity after 1 Day (n = 156)

3.26 (1.72)

2.81 (1.54)

3.61 (1.78)

<0.01*

Pain intensity after 7 Days (n = 25)

2.60 (1.92)

1.64 (0.67)

3.36 (2.24)

0.02*

Age (n = 538)

46.5 (16.9)

46.69 (17.34)

46.29 (16.52)

0.78