Abstract
Background/Aim: This investigation aimed to evaluate the intensity of self-reported pain and frequency of self-medication with analgesics during the initial phase of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and to compare possible differences between the maxillary and mandibular teeth. Material and Methods: In this observational clinical trial 68 patients had similar orthodontic forces (the same bracket-slot and prescription, archwire size and material, and treatment plan) applied on maxillary and mandibular teeth. The patients recorded pain intensity and use of analgesics for the first seven days of treatment. Comparisons between maxillary and mandibular teeth regarding the pain intensity and self-medication frequency were performed by Wilcoxson Signed Ranks Test and McNamara Test for Matched Pairs, respectively. Results: The patients reported moderate pain in both jaws which decreased significantly with each day of treatment. Still, during the initial three days of treatment intensity of pain for maxillary teeth was significantly lower compared to the mandibular teeth. Patients reported analgesics consumption for both jaws, without a statistically significant difference between them. Conclusions: The patients have reported orthodontic pain of higher intensity in the mandibular arch compared to the maxillary arch during the initial phase of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.
Highlights
It has been reported that almost every patient feels a certain amount of pain during orthodontic therapy[1]
Literature data and clinical experience suggest that fixed orthodontic appliances cause the higher intensity of pain and discomfort to patients, and lower quality of life compared to the removable ones[3,4,5,6]
The first null hypothesis was that there is no significant difference in the intensity of self-reported pain between the teeth in the upper and the lower jaw; the second null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the frequency of self-medication with analgesics between the upper and the lower jaw during the initial phase of orthodontic treatment
Summary
It has been reported that almost every patient feels a certain amount of pain during orthodontic therapy[1]. Literature data and clinical experience suggest that fixed orthodontic appliances cause the higher intensity of pain and discomfort to patients, and lower quality of life compared to the removable ones[3,4,5,6]. The intensity of pain caused by orthodontic forces delivered by fixed appliances is described as moderate. The pain and discomfort are reported to start 4 to 6 hours after initial archwire placement and to reach the highest intensity after hours[1,4,7]. One out of four patients still feel discomfort even after 7 days of orthodontic treatment[1,4,7]
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