Pain Control In Orthodontics - Causes And Management.

ABSTRACT

Orthodontic patients experience pain and discomfort to a varying degree during the course of treatment. Since pain is one of the important reasons for not seeking the orthodontic treatment, pain control is important both for patient and clinician. In the present article we made an attempt to highlight the various orthodontic procedures which cause pain and discomfort, mechanism of pain and the methods of evaluating the pain. There are various methods of managing pain but analgesics are still the main treatment modality to reduce orthodontic pain despite their side effects. There are some reports suggesting the use of Tens (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and low level lasers for the control of pain, further convincing research is required to use them as a main treatment modality.