Prediction of prolonged pain experiences during orthodontic treatment.
BACKGROUND
In this study, we investigated prolonged pain reactions in teenage orthodontic patients during a common orthodontic treatment. The aim was to examine factors predicting pain at the end of a follow-up week after placement of elastic separators.


METHODS
Fifty-five patients (ages, 12-18 years) were included. Baseline assessments were made of perceived intensity of general and dental pain experiences, motivation for treatment, dental anxiety, and personality factors (self-esteem and temperament). Pain intensity was assessed on a visual analog scale, and pain medications were recorded. The patients were separated into pain and no-pain groups according to pain experiences at day 7.


RESULTS
The pain group (mainly girls) had significantly higher ratings of treatment pain than in the non-pain group at all times measured except for the treatment day. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions showed significant predictive power from motivation, dental anxiety, activity temperament, and vaccination pain.


CONCLUSIONS
In this adolescent patient sample, low motivation for orthodontic treatment, high ratings of vaccination pain, elevated dental anxiety level, and low activity temperament characterized patients reporting pain 1 week after the elastic separators were placed.
Bergius
Marianne
M
Department of Orthodontics, Mun-H-Center, National Orofacial Resource Center, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. marianne.bergius@odontologi.gu.se
Broberg
Anders G
AG
Hakeberg
Magnus
M
Berggren
Ulf
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D016854:Dental Anxiety; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D009042:Motivation; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010551:Personality; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects