Orthodontic pain is related to oral health‑related quality of life in orthodontic patients

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.