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Chewing Gum Effect in Reducing Orthodontic Pain After Separator and Initial Arch Wire Placement

Not Applicable
Conditions
Orthodontic Pain
Interventions
Other: Wrigley Extra Strawberry Flavour Sugar Free Chewing Gum
Registration Number
NCT04836234
Lead Sponsor
University of Malaya
Brief Summary

Pain is the most claimed complaint from orthodontic treatment. Fear of pain has contributed to patients' avoidance of seeking orthodontic treatment, affects patients' compliance to treatment and even becomes the main reason for discontinuing orthodontic treatment. For years, orthodontic patients have reported using analgesics during orthodontic treatment to ease the pain. However, analgesics have many side effects such as allergic reactions, bleeding disorders, gastric ulcers, liver toxicity and their potential influence in slowing down tooth movement. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of chewing gums in pain reduction in Malaysian multi-ethnic orthodontic patients and to explore the possibility of chewing gum to be recommended as a suitable substitute for analgesics in our future practice.

Detailed Description

Orthodontic treatment have been shown to cause varying degrees of discomforts and pain to the patients. Fear of pain has contributed to patients' avoidance of seeking orthodontic treatment, affect patients' compliance to the treatment and even become a main reason of discontinuing orthodontic treatment. Patients have reported using of analgesic particularly NSAIDS and Paracetamol during orthodontic treatment to ease the pain. However, NSAIDS have been associated with various side effects such as allergic reactions, bleeding disorders and gastric ulcers had raised the concern of orthodontists. Studies on animals have shown that NSAIDS slower the rate of tooth movement, hence affecting orthodontic treatment efficacy. Paracetamol have been reported to cause liver toxicity in the case of over dosage.

The action of chewing the gum can produce forces to temporary displace the teeth sufficiently to allow blood flow through compressed area, preventing the build-up of metabolic products, thus reduce the pain severity. In addition, non-sugared chewing gum has anti-caries effect which is very important to prevent caries formation during orthodontic treatment.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of chewing gum in pain reduction in orthodontic patients and to explore the possibility of chewing gum to be recommended as a suitable substitute for analgesics in future practice.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
108
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Patients about to undergo orthodontic treatment with maxillary and mandibular fixed appliances
  2. Orthodontic treatment include the extraction of the permanent first or second premolars
  3. Age 16 years and above
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Significant medical problem or cleft lip and palate.
  2. Pregnant lady
  3. Occurrence of using analgesics or antibiotics
  4. History of asthma or unstable asthma the last year
  5. Oral surgery in the previous 4 weeks

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
intervention groupWrigley Extra Strawberry Flavour Sugar Free Chewing GumParticipants will receive Wrigley Extra Strawberry Flavour Sugar Free Chewing Gum. They will be instructed to chew the gum for pain relief after the separator and initial arch wire placement if required. Chew the gums for 10-12 minutes and as much as they want whenever they feel discomfort or pain. They are free to take any medication when necessary and respond to the questionnaires on the amount of chewing gum and analgesics used.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain assessment after separators and initial arch wire placement.At 48 hours after separators and initial arch wire placement.

Level of pain on the Numerical pain rating scale (NRS)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reported use of chewing gum and analgesics.from 24 hours to 48 hours after the separator and archwire placements

Amount of chewing gums and medications consumed after the separator and initial arch wire placement

Recorded appliances breakages.Immediately after the separator and archwire placements until 2 days after the separator and archwire placement

Frequency of appliances breakages

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Postgraduate Orthodontic Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya

🇲🇾

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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