Estudo da experiência de dor e do status imunológico em adultos e crianças durante duas fases do tratamento ortodôntico

Abstract

Pain is usually reported during orthodontic treatment. It comes from the strength applied to the teeth and traumatic lesions in the buccal mucosa, where secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the main protection and plays a role in integrity maintenance. Pain can increase the psychological stress, which induces changes in salivary alpha amylase. Pain intensity can vary according to patient’s age and his/her motivation towards treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate pain intensity and its relation with patient’s motivation and salivary levels of slgA and alpha amylase, in adults and children, during two stages of orthodontic treatment. Twenty individuals (10 children and 10 adults) answered a questionnaire regarding their motivation towards treatment. Saliva samples were collected and pain intensity was evaluated on a daily basis, after and before the bonding of brackets and after the insertion of the initial arch. Only one question regarding the perception of malocclusion severity correlated with pain intensity. There was no significant difference in pain intensity and in slgA concentrations between adults and children. In general, pain prevalence in children was lower, yet reported pain was more intense. Pain in the buccal mucosa was negatively correlated with slgA concentrations in children, a finding that suggests a protective effect of slgA in the buccal mucosa. Although there was no significant correlation between the concentrations of alpha amylase and pain intensity, the levels of this enzyme increased during the evaluation period, probably due to the psychological stress caused by the presence and activation of the fixed braces.