Effect of somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety on experimentally induced orthodontic pain

Abstract

The perception of pain varies considerably across individuals and is affected by psychological traits. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety on orthodontic pain. Five-hundred and five adults completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). Individuals with combined STAI and SSAS scores below the 20th percentile (LASA group: five men and 12 women; mean age ± SD = 22.4 ± 1.3 yr) or above the 80th percentile (HASA group: 13 men and seven women; mean age ± SD = 23.7 ± 1.0 yr) were selected and filled in the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC). Orthodontic separators were placed for 5 d in order to induce experimental pain. Visual analog scales (VAS) were administered to collect ratings for occlusal discomfort, pain, and perceived stress. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured. A mixed regression model was used to evaluate pain and discomfort ratings over the 5-d duration of the study. At baseline, the LASA group had statistically significantly higher PPT values for the masseter muscle than did the HASA group. During the experimental procedure, the HASA group had statistically significantly higher discomfort and pain. A significant difference in pain ratings during the 5 d of the study was found for subjects in the HASA group. Higher OBC values were statistically significantly positively associated with pain. Somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety substantially affect experimentally induced orthodontic pain.

Analysis of the reliability of the Italian version of the Oral Behaviours Checklist and the relationship between oral behaviours and trait anxiety in healthy individuals

“…In addition to the OBC‐It (total score), a reduced 6‐items version (OBC‐It 6), was analysed. It includes items 3 (“grind teeth together during waking hours”), 4 (“clench teeth together during waking hours”), 5 (“press, touch or hold teeth together other than while eating ‐that is, contact between upper and lower teeth‐)”, 10 (“bite, chew, or play with your tongue, cheeks, or lips”), 12 (“hold between the teeth or bite objects such as hair, pipe, pencils, pens, fingers, fingernails, etc.”) and 13 (“use chewing gum”) (Table ).…”

Pain and distress induced by elastomeric and spring separators in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment

“…Therefore, pain has been the prime reason for discontinuation of orthodontic treatment. [78] Pain is usually initiated 4 hours after the application of the separator and increases over 24 hours, which then decreases within a 7-day period. [91011] Literature revealed that pain is usually aggravated by functions such as eating, eventually leading the patients to modify their eating habits as a coping mechanism and/or force them to use analgesics as a preventive measure when pain arises.…”

Somatic Awareness and Tender Points in a Community Sample

“…Higher SA is associated with lower heat pain tolerance in women with provoked vestibulodynia 61 , greater soreness in the trapezius after rapid needle insertion withdrawal 44 , a greater number of masticatory sites rated as painful by TMD patients 58 , and lower orofacial pressure pain thresholds 11 . These evoked-pain outcomes are echoed by studies of sensation and interoceptive processes.…”