Pain Perception and Discomfort after Placement of Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

Aims: To investigate the patient pain experience and discomfort following placement of fixed orthodontic appliances, and evaluate the contributing and relieving factors for this pain. Background: Patient discomfort and pain are important considerations at the outset of orthodontic treatment. They can negatively affect compliance and in certain cases, contribute to treatment avoidance. Various pain relief methods are available for orthodontic pain, including chewing gum and paracetamol. Nevertheless, relatively few studies have comparatively examined their efficacy. Material & Methods: 92 patients (47 female and 45 male) aged 12 years and above were recruited from private-sector and public-sector orthodontic clinics. 13-item questionnaires were used to gather demographic data, to assess pain and its causes (e.g., site of pain, frequency, and severity), and to learn about the patients use of pain relief medications. Results: 84.8% experienced pain following the insertion of a braces, and the pain was most often felt in the evening when compared to the morning (p < 0.05). 47.8% of the patients took at least one type of pain relief medication to mitigate their pain and discomfort. Conclusion: In view of the finding that 84.8% of the patients included in this study experienced pain following the placement of a fixed orthodontic appliance, it is important for further studies to explore novel and effective ways to relieve pain in the population. Clinical Significance: Orthodontic pain is not uncommon in Orthodontic practice and this pain can be relieved by over counter pain killer.