Table 2 Summary of the main population characteristics of the eligible studies

Pasqualini et al., 2012. Italy [18].

295 patients (+)

42 (16–70)

Single rooted and multirooted teeth

Asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis, symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, or pulp necrosis with or without apical periodontitis

^ICR-GP (PathFile) and^IIM-GP (Stainless-steel K-file)

Postoperative pain

Analgesic consumption

Chen et al., 2013. China [32].

88 teeth (+)

+

Molars and premolars

Acute or chronic pulpitis or periapical periodontitis

^ICR-GP (PathFile + Reciproc), ^IICR-GP (PathFile + ProTaper), and ^IIIWGP (ProTaper)

Intraoperative pain

Guo et al., 2014. China [33].

80 patients (+)

+ (17–60)

First and second molars

Pulp inflammatory disease

^ICR-GP (PathFile, experienced physicians), ^IICR-GP (PathFile, unexperienced physicians), ^IIIM-GP (Stainless-steel K-file, experienced physicians), and ^IVM-GP (Stainless-steel K-file, unexperienced physicians)

Intraoperative pain

Adıgüzel et al., 2019. Turkey [2].

93 patients (43♀ 50♂)

40 (20–65)

Single-canaled mandibular premolars

Asymptomatic non-vital pulp

^ICR-GP (One G), ^IIR-GP (R-Pilot) and ^IIIWGP

Postoperative pain

Analgesic consumption

Keskin et al., 2019. Turkey [4].

240 patients (137♀ 103♂)

+ (18–60)

Maxillary and mandibular teeth

Asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis, symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, symptomatic apical periodontitis or asymptomatic apical periodontitis

^IR-GP (R-Pilot), ^IICR-GP (ProGlider) and ^IIIM-GP (stainless-steel K-file)

Postoperative pain

Analgesic consumption

Tüfenkçi et al., 2019. Turkey [34].

88 patients (50♀ 38♂)

40 (18–69)

First and second mandibular molars

Asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis

^IR-GP (R-Pilot), ^IIR-GP (WaveOne Gold Glider), ^IIICR-GP (One G) and ^IVCR-GP (ProGlider)

Intraoperative pain