Pain following orthodontic fixed appliance insertion

Researchers may have uncovered the pain levels reported by adolescent patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliance systems.

In a study published in Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research, researchers randomly assigned 132 adolescent patients aged 12 to 17 years with severe crowding and displaced teeth to receive either passive self-ligating or conventional standardized fixed appliance systems. They then examined self-reported pain levels and analgesic intake.

The researchers noted that the highest mean pain levels occurred on the second day post-upper arch bonding in both patient groups. Among the patients who received the passive self-ligating standardized fixed appliance system, lower intake of analgesics was reported on the first and second days following treatment initiation. Further, on the second and third days postbonding, male patients in both groups experienced higher pain levels compared with female patients.

The researchers concluded that clinicians should communicate with their patients about pain expectations prior to orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

Read more: Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research

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