Pain and Oral Health Related Quality of LIfe among Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Fixed orthodontic procedures such as separator placement, archwire placement and
activations, application of orthopaedic forces, and debonding of brackets produce pain in patients.
This study was conducted to assess pain and oral health-related quality of life among patients
undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 orthodontic patients of
a teritary care center from January 2019 to October 2019 after receiving ethical approval from the
Institutional Review Committee (Ref. no. 2311201813). Convenience sampling method was done to
select the participants. Oral health-related quality of life using “Oral Health Impact Profile-14†and
pain experienced during the first month of fixed orthodontic treatment were assessed. Data analysis
for calculation of frequency and proportion was done in Statistical Package of Social Sciences.

Results: Mean pain score of the study participants was 5.05±2.07 and their mean oral health impact
was 12.71±7.27. Most of the study participants 86 (56.58%), had experienced moderate pain due to
orthodontic treatment. Out of the reported impacts, 134 (88.2%) had painful aching in mouth and 127
(83.6%) had difficulty during eating. Least impact was seen in alteration of taste 35 (23%).

Conclusions: The pain intensity experienced by patients was variable. Most participants had
moderate pain but few patients perceived no pain at all. The participants had at least one or other
oral health impacts due to fixed orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists should counsel the patients
regarding possible discomfort so that there is no discontinuation of treatment due to pain.