ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Orthodontic pain (OP) is a subjective experience induced by prolonged force on the teeth in fixed orthodontic treatment. OP acts as a predictor of aspects related to oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL). It is important to understand the extent of the impact of OP on a patient's daily life, especially on stomatognathic function and social impact. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between OP and OHRQOL in fixed orthodontic treatment patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The comparative pain rating scale is used to assess pain intensity, while the oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) assesses the impact of OP severity on OHRQOL of 57 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in the early stages of treatment (1-3 months of treatment) at the Dental Hospital, Universitas Airlangga. Gender, age, and malocclusion classifications were also analyzed for their influence. The data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: In the initial phase of treatment, most of the patients (53%) experienced mild OP and moderate OP (39%), and OP was reduced over a week. The overall OHRQOL score was 17.4 ± 8, which indicates a negative impact on OHRQOL. There were also positive correlation dimensions of OHRQOL, which include the dimensions of physical limitations, psychological discomfort, and psychological limitations (r > 0.50). There was a significant difference between age groups in OP perception and OHRQOL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive correlation between OP intensity and OHRQOL experienced by fixed orthodontic patients at the Dental Hospital, Universitas Airlangga.
