Pain and discomfort during the first week of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using two different RME appliances: A randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare perceived pain intensity, discomfort, and jaw function impairment during the first week with tooth borne or tooth bone borne rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty four patients (28 girls and 26 boys) with a mean age of 9.8 years (SD 1.28 years) were randomized into two groups. Group A received a conventional hyrax appliance and group B a hybrid hyrax appliance anchored on mini implants in the anterior palate. Questionnaires were used to assess pain intensity, discomfort, analgesic consumption, and jaw function impairment on the first and fourth days after RME appliance insertion. RESULTS Fifty patients answered both questionnaires. Overall median pain on the first day in treatment was 13.0 (range 0 82) and 3.5 (0 78) for groups A and B, respectively, with no significant differences in pain, discomfort, analgesic consumption, or functional jaw impairment between groups. Overall median pain on the fourth day was 9.0 (0 90) and 2.0 (0 71) for groups A and B, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. There were also no significant differences in pain levels within group A, while group B scored significantly lower concerning pain from molars and incisors and tensions from the jaw on day 4 than on the first day in treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between age and pain and discomfort on the fourth day in treatment. No correlations were found between sex and pain and discomfort, analgesic consumption, and jaw function impairment. CONCLUSIONS Both tooth borne and tooth bone borne RME were generally well tolerated by the patients during the first week of treatment.
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