Mechanical Vibration and Chewing Gum Methods in Orthodontic Pain Relief

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the pain relief effects of chewing gum and mechanical vibration methods on orthodontic pain caused by the initial archwire. METHODS In this study, 57 patients, having a 3-6 mm maxillary dental crowding and non-extraction treatment modality were includ- ed. The pressure pain thresholds of the subjects were measured. Patients were distributed equally by sex and randomly allocated into 3 groups: mechanical vibration, chewing gum, and control. The fixed orthodontic treatment was started in the upper jaw only. In the first and second groups, mechanical vibration was applied and sugar-free gum was chewed, respectively. The third group was used as the control. The pain perceptions were measured using the Visual Analog Scale. Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The groups were similar at the beginning of the study in terms of age and algometer scores (P = .138 and P =.155, respective- ly). Statistical significant differences in the Visual Analog Scale scores among the groups could not be detected at any time point. The highest pain scores were detected at the 24th hour of treatment in all 3 groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the highest pain level among the groups (P = .279). CONCLUSION Although the average pain values were perceived as lower, particularly in the mechanical vibration group, the temporary displacement of the teeth has no clinically significant pain relief effect on orthodontic pain.