Is catastrophising associated with pain perception in early phase of orthodontic treatment? A cohort study

This study aimed to investigate the association between pain perception and catastrophising at the beginning of orthodontic treatment; and the association between pain during orthodontic treatment and demographic, clinical and other psychological factors.

A cohort study with 44 patients (28.9 ± 15.05 years old; 25 females and 19 males) under orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances had their pain perception evaluated through a visual analogue scale at baseline (before activation), 6 h, 24 h, 2nd day, 3rd day, 5th day and 7th day after activation. The scores at each evaluation period after the first (T1), second (T2) and third (T3) appointments were compared by analysis of variance. A multivariate Poisson regression analysis verified the association between pain perception and Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS); and demographic (age, gender), clinical (tooth crowding, tooth loss, analgesic intake and archwire characteristics) and other psychological (dental anxiety and previous negative dental experiences) independent variables (p < .05).

Catastrophising (RR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, p = .0001) showed a weak risk of pain perception at T1. The peak of pain occurred 24 h after activation at T1, T2 and T3. Significant higher scores were observed at T1 in comparison to T2 (F_T1,T2  = 11.82, p = .005) and T3 (F_T1,T3  = 5.09, p = .03). Wire diameter, tooth crowding and single-arch treatment were found as risk factors for pain. Patients without tooth loss had half of the risk of pain perception, while analgesics intake and older patients were also found with a weak protective association. Dental anxiety and negative dental experience were not associated with pain perception.

Catastrophising has a mild influence on pain perception and only after the first orthodontic activation. Patients with tooth losses, tooth crowding and using thicker archwires are more likely to report pain after orthodontic activations.