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Fixed orthodontic appliances cause pain and disturbance in somatosensory function
Author(s) -
Shen Huijie,
Shao Sheng,
Zhang Jinglu,
Wang Zhendong,
Lv Dong,
Chen Wenjing,
Svensson Peter,
Wang Kelun
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/eos.12234
Subject(s) - somatosensory system , medicine , visual analogue scale , quantitative sensory testing , orofacial pain , dentistry , nociception , incisor , orthodontics , sensory system , anesthesia , physical therapy , psychology , receptor , psychiatry , cognitive psychology
This study aimed to assess the short‐term effects of orthodontic pain on quantitative sensory testing (QST) in subjects receiving fixed orthodontic treatment. Twenty patients and 12 healthy volunteers (as controls) participated. All 20 patients had bonded AO self‐ligating brackets, with a 0.014 super elastic nickel‐titanium arch wire placed in the brackets. Pain [self‐reported on a visual analog scale (VAS)], and thermal and mechanical thresholds, were tested at six time points – before (baseline), and 2 h, 24 h, 7 d, 14 d, and 30 d after, force application – in the treatment group. The attached gingiva adjacent to the left upper central incisor (21 gingiva) was hypersensitive to cold stimuli (i.e. increased cold detection thresholds were detected) in the treatment group. The pressure pain thresholds of the left upper central incisor (21) and 21 gingiva were significantly reduced. Our results suggest clear signs of sensitization of the trigeminal nociceptive system up to 1 month after force application and orthodontic pain. Quantitative assessment of somatosensory function may help to provide a better understanding and profiling of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms related to orthodontic pain.