VAS evaluation of myopain during orthodontic fixed treatment

Objective: Among the different treatments described in the literature for myofascial syndrome, the most reliable therapy in dentistry are spray & stretch, and, although less frequently used, the injection. However, it often happens that adult subjects with myofascial syndrome are submitted to fixed orthodontic therapy for the resolution of other conditions such as malocclusion and temporo-mandibular disorders. For these cases there is no clarity in the literature on the prognosis of symptoms associated to myofascial syndrome during fixed orthodontic therapy. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the medical records (which included the diagnosis of myofascial syndrome) in Caucasian adult patients submitted to fixed orthodontic therapy for various malocclusions. VAS scores were analyzed before the beginning of orthodontic therapy and after the tooth alignment. Materials and methods: This analysis covered medical records of 360 young adult Caucasians with different types of malocclusion, before they were scheduled for orthodontic treatment (self-ligating fixed appliance) for various malocclusions. Among them, 15 patients have been initially diagnosed with myofascial syndrome. They were recalled for a gnathological visit to reassess the VAS value associated to the presence of muscle pain. The gnathological evaluation of patients was performed, in each case, after the achievement of dental alignment and after the correction of dental class, where needed. Results: Statistically significant decreases were seen in the VAS values, in the direction of an improvement of symptoms respect to the visit made before the treatment (T0). The statistically significant improvement was seen in the intensity of pain assessed with a VAS score, for each subject. Conclusions: It was showed an improvement in symptoms of myofascial syndrome in adult patients treated with fixed orthodontic device (self-ligating appliance) to correct a malocclusion. Keeping in mind the limited results we observed, due to the absence of an untreated control group and a control group treated with spray & stretch, the data presented encourage further clinical longitudinal research.