title: The correlation between pain perception among patients with six different orthodontic archwires and the degree of dental crowding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Forces generated in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances create tension and compression zones in the periodontal ligament resulting in a painful experience for patients. In the first phase of orthodontic treatment, when leveling of teeth is needed, nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires can be completely engaged in brackets, even in the cases of extreme crowding, exerting small forces. There is a great individual variation in the pain perception related to the application of orthodontic forces.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the pain perception among patients with dental crowding after insertion of six different NiTi orthodontic archwires as a part of fixed appliances in the first stage of orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on a sample of 189 orthodontic patients receiving one of six different either superelastic or heat activated NiTi archwires, in the first phase of orthodontic treatment. Pain perception was evaluated in groups of patients with different degree of crowding. The modified McGill Pain Questionnaire with Visual Analogue Scale was used to evaluate the quality and intensity of pain. Statistical analysis was performed using simple descriptive statistics, and Pearson's chi-square test with statistical significance of p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of patients reported pain as discomfort or pressure of moderate intensity caused by chewing or biting, started within 12 hours, carried on for 3-4 days, and decreased over time without self-medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No correlation was found between pain perception among patients with different types of NiTi archwires and the degree of crowdinq.
authors.forename: Evgenija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marković
authors.forename: Janko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fercec
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Šćepan
authors.forename: Branislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Glišić
authors.forename: Nenad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nedeljković
authors.forename: Jovana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Juloski
authors.forename: Rebeka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: RudolF
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy*; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception; D055815:Young Adult