Is conventional sugar-free chewing gum effective in the management of orthodontic pain associated with fixed appliances? A randomised clinical trial comparing the pain-reducing effects of sugar-free chewing gum versus a placebo medicament
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Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Background and aim: Managing orthodontic pain traditionally involves the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs combined with other analgesic medication. Sugar-free chewing gum has been advocated in the control of orthodontic pain due to its mechanical and physiological effects on periodontal tissue; however, the literature is scant. The ‘placebo effect’ that conventional sugar-free chewing gum may have in the relief of orthodontic pain has not been documented. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of conventional sugar-free chewing gum in reducing orthodontic pain associated with fixed appliances with a placebo (sugar-free sweets) medicament.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine if there were differences in pain reporting between the sugar-free chewing gum and the placebo, to ascertain whether gender influenced pain scores and to observe any differences in pain reporting between different orthodontic techniques.
Description
Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent)
Keywords
Self -ligating brackets, Conventional brackets, Non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, Visual analogue scale, Consort guidelines, Orthodontic pain, Gender, Placebo effect, Placebo medicament, Conventional sugar-free chewing gum