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Pain in orthodontics

A review and discussion of the literature

Schmerz in der Kieferorthopädie

Überblick und Diskussion der Literatur

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Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This literature review focuses on previous studies of pain and pain perception in dentistry with special emphasis on orthodontic treatment. The prevalence of pain and background factors such as age, gender and culture/society, in addition to pain physiology and the influence of concomitant emotional and cognitive factors, is examined. Pain during orthodontic tooth movement is reported from the point of view of its physiology and character and different assessment methods. These aspects are described both generally and specifically in relation to the type of orthodontic forces and to the experience of discomfort other than pain. Since the orthodontic treatment may cause some degree of suffering for the patients, it is important for orthodontists to handle this situation in the best possible way. Some ideas about the possibilities of avoiding, reducing or alleviating pain in orthodontics are discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Literaturüberblick beruht auf vorangegangenen Untersuchungen des Schmerzes und der Schmerzempfindung mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der kieferorthopädischen Behandlung. Dabei werden die Häufigkeit des Schmerzes und die Hintergrundfaktoren, wie zum Beispiel Alter, Geschlecht und kulturelle/gesellschaftliche Verhältnisse, sowie die Physiologie des Schmerzes und dessen Einfluß auf begleitende emotionale und kognitive Faktoren dargestellt. Es wird über den Schmerz und dessen Charakter während der orthodontischen Zahnbewegung aus physiologischer Sicht und über verschiedene Bewertungsmethoden berichtet. Diese Gesichtspunkte werden sowohl allgemein als auch speziell abhängig von der Art der angewandten orthodontischen Kräfte und der Erfahrung des Unbehagens wie des Schmerzes beschrieben. Da die kieferorthopädische Behandlung dem Patienten bis zu einem gewissen Grad Leiden verursacht, sollte der Kieferorthopäde mit dieser Situation bestmöglich umgehen. Einige Ansätze zur möglichen Schmerzvermeidung, Schmerzverminderung und Schmerzlinderung in der Kieferorthopädie werden diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Göteborg University, Box 450, SE 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden

    Marianne Bergius

  2. Department of Orthodontics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    Stavros Kiliaridis

  3. Department of Oral Diagnostics, Division of Behavioral Science, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden

    Ulf Berggren

Authors
  1. Marianne Bergius
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  2. Stavros Kiliaridis
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  3. Ulf Berggren
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Correspondence to Marianne Bergius.

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Bergius, M., Kiliaridis, S. & Berggren, U. Pain in orthodontics. J Orofac Orthop/Fortschr Kieferorthop 61, 125–137 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01300354

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