The effect of obesity on orofacial pain during early orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances: a prospective cohort study

Eur J Orthod. 2018 Jul 27;40(4):343-349. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjx064.

Abstract

Introduction: We have investigated orofacial pain in a prospective cohort of obese and normal-weight subjects undergoing fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment.

Methods: Fifty-five subjects (27 males, 28 females) mean age 15.1 (1.6) years and mean body mass index 30.2 (3.5) in obese and 19.4 (2.2) kg/m2 in normal-weight groups were followed for 1 week after appliance placement. Primary outcome was maximum-pain measured using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes included mean pain and oral analgesic consumption.

Results: Mean maximum pain for the total sample was 73.7 (standard deviation 14.8; 95% confidence interval 69.8-77.7) mm with no significant differences among groups (P = 0.247). However, mean maximum pain was higher at all time-points for the obese group and significant at 72 hours (P = 0.034). Total analgesia consumed by the obese group was also significantly higher than normal weight (P = 0.041). Multivariable regression found the only significant predictor for mean pain was time. After adjusting for confounding, obesity was associated with higher (+4.47 mm) mean pain at each time-point (P = 0.018). A significant association existed between obesity and total analgesic consumption (univariable-analysis, P = 0.035; multivariable analysis, P = 0.023). After accounting for confounders, obese patients were associated with taking a higher quantity of oral analgesics.

Conclusions: We found a trend towards increased mean pain and an association with increased analgesic consumption in obese subjects during the first week following fixed-appliance placement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Facial Pain / diagnosis
  • Facial Pain / drug therapy
  • Facial Pain / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Orthodontic Appliances, Fixed / adverse effects*
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tooth Movement Techniques / adverse effects*
  • Tooth Movement Techniques / instrumentation
  • Visual Analog Scale

Substances

  • Analgesics