Pain perception due to elastomeric separator placement

Objective: The aim is to determine the perception of pain and discomfort by the patient during the placement of orthodontic separators. Methods: Elastomeric separators were placed mesially and distally to the first molars in 200 orthodontic patients, and the participants were given self administrated questionnaires to document perceived pain, type of pain felt, pain upon chewing, and the severity of pain's affecting daily life, using a visual analog scale for three days. Results: The mean perceived pain scores out of 100 on the first 3 days were:49.00±27.7 88.00±30.7 and 25.12±14.3 respectively; chewing pain scores were: 49.25± 33.49 ,78.80 ± 44.2, 31.21± 20.01,respectively; the pain's affecting daily life scores were16.7 ± 26.7,28.1± 38.7, 14.6±12.1, respectively. A Kruskal–Wallis test showed a statistically significant difference in the reported pain between the studied parameters. Conclusion: 51.7% of population reported pain after separator placement.88% of patients reported the maximum intensity of pain one day after separator placement. Intensity of pain reduced two days after separator placement.56.12% of patients had to change their food consistency.