Efeitos imediatos da diafibrólise percutânea na avaliação da dor e abertura da boca após a colocação de aparelhos ortodônticos

Abstract

Introduction: Pain has been reported in 90% of orthodontic patients after the placement of fixed appliances, and can last from two days to a week or more. Percutaneous diafibrolysis (PD) is a non-invasive technique used to treat musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain and/or restriction of movement. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PD on pain intensity and range of motion during mouth opening in patients who had fixed orthodontic appliances placed. Methods: A case report of two participants was made. The two volunteers underwent the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances, one of which received treatment by percutaneous diafibrolysis and the other sham (simulated percutaneous diafibrolysis), respectively, and performed in a single session. The volunteers were evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which evaluated subjective pain, the pressure algometer, which evaluated the pressure threshold of pain, and the caliper, which evaluated the range of motion during mouth opening. The evaluations were performed before and after the treatment session immediately, 24 and 48 hours after the technique used. Results: There was a reduction in pain on the VAS scale and an increase in mouth opening after the sessions performed, which evolved after 24 and 48 hours of the session, but with a much higher gain in the volunteer treated with PD compared to the one treated with SHAM. In addition, the volunteer treated with PD showed marked improvement in the pressure threshold of pain that followed after 24 and 48 hours. The volunteer treated with SHAM presented worsening in this evaluation immediately after the session and then relief after 24 and 48 hours, but in a lower proportion than the one treated with PD. Conclusion: PD can be a useful tool in relieving pain and improving mouth opening after the placement of orthodontic appliances.