A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Effectiveness of Acupressure in Relieving Orthodontic Pain

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BAGHDAD · Feb 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how effective acupressure is in relieving pain that often occurs after getting braces, compared to taking acetaminophen, a common pain reliever. Many people experience discomfort for a few days after their orthodontic wires are adjusted, and while acetaminophen is usually recommended, the researchers want to see if acupressure—a technique from traditional Chinese medicine that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body—can be a helpful alternative for pain relief.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be at least 12 years old and receiving orthodontic treatment for the first time. They should have a certain level of crowding in their teeth but no significant health issues or recent dental problems. If you join the study, you will be randomly assigned to either take acetaminophen or practice acupressure on specific points for pain relief. Your pain levels will be checked over five days. The goal is to find out if acupressure can provide a safe and effective way to manage orthodontic pain with fewer side effects.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients who have agreed to the research procedures and signed an informed consent form.
• • 2. Upper and lower comprehensive fixed orthodontic appliances (with no history of previous orthodontic treatment).
• • 3. They have a minimum crowding of 4mm according to Little's irregularity index (with no impactions/unerupted teeth).
• • 4. Patients with no systematic/periodontal diseases.
• • 5. If tooth extraction is needed, it is performed at least two weeks before fixed appliance placement or delayed after the study is completed.
• • 6. Patients aged 12 years and above with full permanent dentition (excluding the third molars)
• • 7. No current acute or chronic pain in the oral cavity.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients who have been using analgesic medications chronically or require prophylactic antibiotic coverage.
• • 2. Patients who are currently taking analgesics or antibiotics.
• • 3. Female patients being in the menstrual period.
• • 4. Patients with contraindications to the use of paracetamol (Hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to any acetaminophen-like or -containing agents, in conjunction with alcohol, and patients with severe liver disease).
• • 5. Patients who have recently experienced a toothache.
• • 6. Patients who have a cleft lip or palate.
• • 7. Pregnant patients.