The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on experimental orthodontic pain

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for subjects with experimental orthodontic pain.Materials and methodsThirty-two healthy adult volunteers (mean age of 24.8 years) were recruited and randomized into two groups: CBT intervention group (CBT group; n = 16) and no intervention group (control group; n = 16). Subjects had no spaces in a row of teeth, and contact between the second bicuspid tooth and first molar tooth of upper jaw of both sides could tolerate insertion of a contact gauge (50–110 μm). Elastic separators were inserted between both sides of the second bicuspid tooth and first molar tooth of the upper jaw. CBT was conducted in the CBT group immediately and 1 day after insertion with a CBT operator, and 2–7 days after insertion by the subjects themselves. Pain evaluation was assessed using the methods of magnitude estimation and visual analog scales were carried out as rating scales. All evaluations were conducted before, immediately after, 1 day, and 7 days after insertion of the separator.ResultsIn the standardized scores of magnitude estimates of pain, the scores of the CBT group immediately after insertion were significantly higher than those of the control group. Scores of the CBT group 1 day after insertion were significantly lower than those of the control group.ConclusionCBT was shown to be effective in the management of orthodontic pain and could merit clinical application.