ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine: the degree of pain experienced by patients during periodontal probing and periodontal debridement by using a Visual Analog Scale [VAS]
Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study
Place and Duration: Conducted at Periodontology Department of Margalla Institute of Health Sciences [MIHS] Rawalpindi from December 2011 to May 2012
Methodology: Measurements for probing depths were performed, followed by pain ratings by each patient using a VAS. The hygienists also completed a VAS, estimating the pain level perceived by their patients
Results: Among 106 patients, 70% showed low pain responses to both probing and instrumentation. In our study a group of 106 [56 male and 50 female] patients were included, which received scaling and root planing procedures, out of which 36.6% of the patients experienced mild pain, 33.3% felt moderate pain while only 13.3% felt severe pain. In addition the pain and discomfort remain low with 23.3% and 53% during procedures but increases to 53.3% and 86.7% after treatment respectively
Conclusion: Majority of the patients experience mild to moderate pain during scaling and root planing; moreover intensity of pain and discomfort felt after these procedures are greater than the pain sensation felt during the procedures