Pain assessment after placing separators as well as initial archwire in orthodontic patients: A randomized clinical trial

Pain is a common experience in orthodontic patients,and fear of pain and discomfort is a concernfor many. Orthodontic pain usually beginsat 2 hours after force application and reaches its maximumintensity at bedtime or at 24 hours, and lastsapproximately 5 to 7 days.The aim of this study was to investigate the intensity of pain experienced by orthodontic patients following the insertion of separators and to compare the efficacy of ibuprofen and chewing gum in pain reduction during the placement of initial archwire. A total number of 60 patients seeking orthodontic treatment were included in this study between age group of 12- 24 years. The subjects were divided into three groups: placebo group (G1), ibuprofen group (G2), chewing-gum group (G3). They were asked to answer the questions based on visual analogue scale and to quantify the level of pain.Pain during placement of separator as per VAS scale- Majority of the participants (59.3%) reported mild pain with mode value of 2. Pain after placement of separator as per VAS scale- Overall 50 % of participants reported moderate pain with mode value of 3 and 4. 73% of participants reported pain on chewing food while 82.5% modified their dietary pattern.30% of participants reported intake of analgesics due to pain from elastomeric separator.Ibuprofen is most effective in reducing the pain. Chewing gum can also be recommended for orthodontic patients to reduce pain at chewing function.