Pain and discomfort perception among patients undergoing orthodontic treatment: Results from one month follow-up study

SUMMARY Objective. To explore pain and discomfort experience among patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with different appliances during one month after the appliance insertion, and to elucidate predicting role of patients’ motivation for treatment and awareness of discomfort to the intensity of pain. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 93 orthodontic patients treated with braces (48.4%), braces and head gear (9.7%), removable appliances (34.4%) and functional appliances (7.5%). The patients were asked about pain and discomfort (increased salivation, soft tissues lesion, etc.) they had experienced during one month after the appliance insertion and about motivation for treatment as well as awareness of probable discomfort. Results. 72.0% of patients reported that they complained of pain after one day the appliance had been inserted, but the percentage of such respondents signifi cantly decreased during one month. Patients experienced the highest scores of discomfort from 12 hours to 2 days after the appliance insertion. The change of pain intensity and scores of other discomforts depended on treatment method showing favourable trends for patients treated with braces and head gear, and functional appliances. Patients who were positively motivated for the treatment or were aware of possible pain and discomfort reported signifi cantly decreasing pain during treatment. Conclusions. The perception of pain and discomfort among orthodontic patients was variable during the fi rst month after the appliance insertion regarding the type of appliance, patients’ motivation for treatment and their awareness of probable discomfort.