ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this trial was to investigate and compare pain level accompanying the placement of conventional (CNT) and superelastic nickel-titanium (SENT) initial archwires.
Materials and methods: 52 patients were equally randomized to receive either a CNT or an SENT initial aligning wire in the first orthodontic visit. The patients were given visual analogue scale (VAS) to record their pain level at 10 time points over a period of one week after initial archwire placement. Instruction about avoidance of using analgesics and how to record the pain level using the VAS were given to the patients.
Results: Although the pain level was lower in SENT during the first 24 hours, the statistical difference was significant at bedtime only. From day 2 to day 7, the pain was lower in CNT with no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: The two types of archwires showed comparable pain levels when used as the initial aligning archwires.