The discussion surrounding pain during orthodontic treatment is a common topic in online forums, where individuals often share personal experiences and perceptions. However, it is crucial to distinguish personal anecdotes from scientific evidence when examining the factors influencing pain perception in orthodontic patients. According to a study published in Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (2021), several factors impact orthodontic pain, including clinical, psychological, and genetic influences.
The research found that while pain experienced during orthodontic treatment varies widely among individuals, the most significant factor associated with pain levels was the type of clinical adjustment, particularly the ‘new bond-ups,’ which accounted for over 20% of the variance in pain perception. Psychological factors such as pain catastrophizing, which involves magnifying the pain experience, also played a role, with high pain responders showing higher scores on this scale.
Despite the importance of these individual factors, it’s important to note that the study showed no significant correlation between pain perception and demographic characteristics such as age, sex, or genetic markers related to pain sensitivity. This finding emphasizes the need to rely on scientifically rigorous studies to understand the complex factors contributing to orthodontic pain, rather than anecdotal evidence or personal biases shared in online forums. Thus, scientific investigation is essential for identifying the true causes of pain and developing effective management strategies.
The study also noted that a significant number of participants reported experiencing headaches during orthodontic treatment. Specifically, 24.6% of participants reported having a headache during the survey, with pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) being reported by 6.5% of participants. However, the headache pain was consistently reported throughout the survey by only one participant, suggesting that while headaches can be a symptom for some, they were not widespread across the entire group. This observation highlights the complexity of pain experiences during orthodontic treatment, where symptoms such as headaches might co-occur with the more commonly studied pain at the teeth.
Serra Húnter Fellow of Sociology at Universitat Rovira i Virgili.
Former DAAD-Gastprofessorin at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg