Orthodontic debonding and tooth sensitivity of anterior and posterior teeth: A prospective clinical trial

Objectives: To assess whether orthodontic debonding and onset of tooth sensitivity were related\r\nand if anterior and posterior teeth showed different sensitivity.\r\nMaterials and Methods: 40 patients were divided into a trial group (group 1, at the end of the\r\nmultibracket treatment) and a control group (group 2, not under treatment). After the application of\r\ncompressed air and cold water to mandibular incisors and first molars, participants were asked to\r\nreport the pain felt for each tooth using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. In group 1, assessment\r\nwas performed just before debonding (T0), immediately after completion of debonding (T1) and 7\r\ndays after (T2). In group 2, values were assessed at the beginning of a follow-up visit (T0), at the end\r\nof the same visit (T1) and 7 days after (T2).\r\nResults: Considering overall teeth, statistical analyses showed significantly higher values in the trial\r\ngroup at T1 after both stimuli, especially after cold water, besides a significant difference between T0\r\nand T2 values in the same group. Anterior teeth showed significantly higher VAS scores than\r\nposterior after the two thermal stimuli, except after air stimulation in group 1 at T2 and in group 2.\r\nConclusions: Orthodontic debonding leads to sensitivity to thermal stimuli especially in the anterior\r\nteeth, however pain level is restored within 7 days.