Abstract
The aim of this research project was to analyze the influence of slot size and low-friction on pain and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of subjects receiving fixed appliances. A group of 120 patients (61 male, 59 female) were chosen for this randomized clinical trial. Participants were classified into four groups (30 patients in each). We compared conventional (C group) and low-friction (LF group) brackets and 0.018″ and 0.022″ slots. Pain was assessed at 4 (T0), 8 (T1), and 24 (T2) hours, and 2 (T3), 3 (T4), 4 (T5), 5 (T6), 6 (T7), and 7 (T8) days after the start of treatment by using the visual analogue scale (VAS). OHRQoL was assessed at 1 month using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Data was analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test with post-hoc Bonferroni correction. For pain on the visual analogue scale, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for T0 and T3. For OHRQoL, statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were found in the domains of physical pain, psychological discomfort, psychological disability, and overall OHIP. The group with 0.022″ low-friction brackets showed a lower pain score and less impact on OHRQoL. The type of bracket system used and bracket slot size influenced patients’ perceptions of pain and their OHRQoL.
Highlights
During fixed orthodontic treatment, patients perceive pain, which is a concern for patients as well as orthodontists
The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of slot size (0.018” compared to 0.022”) and low-friction on patient pain and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) during the first phases of orthodontic treatment
The results showed that the peak of orthodontic pain perceived by the patients occurs between the first and second day after the initial bonding and placement of the fixed appliances
Summary
Patients perceive pain, which is a concern for patients as well as orthodontists. The perception of pain is influenced by different patient characteristics (e.g., gender, age, etc.) [1,2,3]. Pain during orthodontic treatment peaks between the first and second day of treatment. After seven days the pain described is almost nil [3,4,5]. Pain is a side effect of orthodontic treatment [6]. Pain indicated by patients can influence patient follow-up during orthodontic treatment [7]
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