Pain Intensity and Discomfort Following Surgical Placement of Orthodontic Anchoring Units and Premolar Extraction

Objective: To evaluate and compare perceived pain intensity and discomfort between the placement of two different orthodontic anchoring units designed for osseointegration and premolar extraction in adolescent patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 adolescent patients (60 girls and 60 boys) were recruited and randomized into three groups. Group A underwent installation of an onplant, group B installation of an Orthosystem implant, and group C premolar extraction. Pain intensity and discomfort, analgesic consumption, limitations in daily activities, and functional jaw impairment were evaluated the first evening and one week after the intervention. Results: Pain intensity following surgical installation of an onplant was comparable to the pain intensity experienced after premolar extraction, but there was significantly less pain after surgical installation of an Orthosystem implant compared to installation of an onplant (P = .002) or premolar extraction (P = .007). The protective, vacuum-formed stent caused great discomfort, even more discomfort than the surgical sites following installation of the onplant or the Orthosystem implant. Conclusion: The Orthosystem implant was better tolerated than the onplant in terms of pain intensity, discomfort, and analgesic consumption and was, therefore, the anchorage system of choice in a short-term perspective.