Pain and fear in connection to orthodontic extractions of deciduous canines.
BACKGROUND
Interceptive extractions of deciduous canines are, from a patient perspective, poorly investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To describe pain, discomfort, and dental fear in connection to extractions of the deciduous canines, indicated as an orthodontic treatment procedure.


METHODS
Thirty-two Swedish children aged 7-9 years had all four deciduous canines extracted over three occasions. The children rated procedural and postoperative pain on visual analogue scales. Acceptance of injections and extractions was assessed by the treating dentists. Analgesic consumption and recovery time for drinking and eating was reported by parents. Dental fear was assessed using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule questionnaire.


RESULTS
Procedural pain showed low median levels, although some individuals reported high values. Boys reported significantly more pain at appointments when two (as opposed to one) canines were extracted. Postoperative pain levels were low and use of analgesics sparse. Dental fear paralleled norm values and did not increase from pre- to post-extraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain management routines during extractions of this kind should be revised. Single tooth extractions seem to be preferable to extractions of two canines at the same appointment. Extraction of four deciduous canines should not cause major postoperative inconvenience; these extractions neither triggered nor increased dental fear.
Sjögren
Anders
A
Department of Orthodontics, Postgraduate Dental Education Centre, Orebro, Sweden.
Arnrup
Kristina
K
Jensen
Charlotta
C
Knutsson
Ia
Ia
Huggare
Jan
J
D000698:Analgesia / Q000523:psychology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009972:Orthodontics, Interceptive / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000523:psychology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000601:surgery
D000700:Analgesics