Year : 2020

Volume : Volume 11

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Venkatagiri Indugu.
VenkatagiriIndugu@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Although the demand and awareness for improving smile aesthetics and occlusal corrections increased, still patients decline or discontinue orthodontic treatment due to related pain and discomfort. Hence, the present study was conducted to compare the pain control in fixed orthodontic therapy by using rubber based teethers vs ibuprofen. Material and methods: This clinical study was conducted over a period of 6 months. 100 patients with an age range of 18 to 22 years, irrespective of gender, were selected for the study. Sample was divided into two groups randomly and assigned ibuprofen and rubber based teethers (50 in each group). To record pain level, the subjects were asked to complete a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. The amount of pain they experienced 5 minutes after arch wire insertion (Base line); then at 24 hours, and 7th day after prescribing ibuprofen and rubber based teethers for pain control were recorded. Statistical Analysis Data was analysed using SPSS software (version22.0). The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: In the present study the mean age of patients was 20.4 yrs. Males and Females in the group were 53% and 47% respectively. In ibuprofen group, baseline pain score was 6.87±1.54 which was significantly reduced to 5.34±1.23 after 24 hours and further reduced to 4.33±1.23 at 7thday. In rubber based teethers group, baseline pain score was 7.45±1.65 which was significantly decreased to 4.64±1.62 after 24 hours and further reduced to 1.92±1.26 at 7th day. Conclusion:  The present study concludes that using rubber-based teethers can effectively reduce the pain during initial arch wire placement as compared to ibuprofen.

Keywords: Rubber based teethers, orthodontic pain, initial arch wire, ibuprofen.