Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Comparison of pain levels of patients treated with 2 different passive self-ligating bracket systems right after initial archwire placement. METHODS: A total of 34 patients with mild crowding were allocated randomly to 2 groups to be treated using 2 different self-ligating brackets. 0.014 inch copper nitinol and 0.014 inch superelastic nitinol archwires were selected as the initial archwire for Damon Q and SmartClip SL3 systems respectively. Seven page questionnaires that consisted of 3 visual analogue scales were handled to patients to mark their pain levels while chewing, biting with anterior teeth, and biting with posterior teeth at 2(nd) hour, 6(th) hour, 2(nd) day, 3(rd) day, and 7(t)h day time intervals. Pain scores were measured manually using a ruler and noted. RESULTS: The SmartClip group reported less pain at the 2(nd) and the 6(th) hours while chewing. Pain levels were the highest at the 6(th) h and the 2(nd) day for the Damon Q and SmartClip SL3 groups respectively. The SmartClip group reported more pain for the first two days, and after the 2(nd) day, pain scores were very similar to the Damon group. No statistically significant differences were reported between the groups. CONCLUSION: The highest pain sensation was reported for the 2(nd) day and decreased toward the 7(th) day. The SmartClip SL3 group reported lower pain scores in the first two days, but the levels were equaled on the 2(nd) day and after.