Pain Intensity of Skeletally Anchored Maxillary Molar Distalization in Conjunction with Micro-osteoperforations: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective To assess pain intensity levels during orthodontic therapy of Class II malocclusion patients undergoing skeletally anchored maxillary molar distalization assisted with different micro-osteoperforation (MOP) approaches. Methods Twenty-seven patients (12 males and 18 females) with a mean age of 16.1 ± 0.3 years were randomized into three equal groups (n=9): Group 1 comprised MOPs on buccal surface, Group 2 comprised MOPs on buccal and palatal surface, and Group 3 comprised the control or no-MOP group. The patients underwent maxillary molar distalization using skeletally anchored distal jet appliance assisted with or without MOPs. The MOPs were applied repeatedly on the buccal and buccal and palatal sides, or no MOP (control). Pain intensity was assessed using a 10 cm visual analog scale after each device activation at 24, 48, 72 hours, and at seven days. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA for non-paired and paired means. Results Both approaches of buccal and buccal and palatal application of MOPs showed statistically significant (p< 0.01) higher levels of pain intensity after the first activation at 24 hours. Nevertheless, pain intensity levels decreased significantly in both MOP groups and between the two activations. Conclusion The repeated application of MOPs on either the buccal side only or on both buccal and palatal sides during maxillary molar distalization did not affect the levels of pain experienced; however, these levels were reported to be higher than that obtained in the control group. Moreover, it is observed that these pain levels tend to gradually reduce to mild levels over the subsequent days.