Intensity of pain after separator placement, banding and bonding in fixed Orthodontic patients

The most common question that appears to be first in almost everyone’s mind as they pursue orthodontic
treatment is: “Is it going to hurt? The cause of pain with fixed orthodontic treatment is still not completely
understood, but has been associated with the changes in blood flow when pressure is applied to the teeth. It is
basically the body’s response to an injury that is an inflammatory response. Some patients experience pain
whereas others do not. This study aims to evaluate the intensity of pain after separator placement, banding and
bonding among orthodontic patients.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 176 patients who needed
comprehensive orthodontic treatment in the Department of Orthodontics at KIST Medical College and
Teaching Hospital. Patients recorded their pain perception during different time intervals 2, 6, 24, and 48 hrs
after separator placement, 24 hrs after banding and 24hrs after bonding using visual analog scale. Statistical
analysis was done by SPSS version 20 by paired t test and the level of significance was set at p<0.05.
Result: Out of 176 patients mean age obtained was 19.43 ± 4.589. Comparison of VAS showed that pain
reaches its peak level at 24 hrs of separator placement (mean VAS score of 2.84) and then decreases. VAS
score is highest for pain after 24 hrs of bonding (mean VAS score of 3.14) and least pain is experienced after
24 hrs of banding (mean VAS score of 2.16) but is not statistically significant.
When comparing the pain after different hours of separator placement, changes in pain between 24 hrs and 48
hrs was found to be statistically significant. (p value 0.000).Comparing the pain between separator placement,
banding and bonding, pain after banding versus pain after bonding was found to be statistically significant. (p
value 0.000).
No statistically significant difference was found between the response of male and female.
Conclusion: Changes in pain between 24 hrs and 48 hrs after separator placement was found to be
statistically significant. (p value 0.000 )and pain after banding versus pain after bonding was found to be
statistically significant. (p value 0.000 ).There is no significant difference in level of pain between male and
female patients.