Acceptance and discomfort in growing patients during treatment with two functional appliances: a randomised controlled trial

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To evaluate the levels of acceptance and discomfort between two types of functional appliances. Study design: Randomised controlled trial.

Methods

A sample of patients who met the inclusion criteria were distributed randomly and equally into two groups: the Trainer for Kids made up of 26 patients with an average age of 10.3 years (Group A), and the modified Activator with 28 patients, with an average age of 10.6 years (Group B), as control. A special questionnaire including eight questions about tension, pressure, sensitive teeth, pain, impaired speech, impaired swallowing, oral constraint and lack of confidence in public caused by the appliance was administered at T1 (7 days), T2 (14 days), T3 (3 months), and T4 (6 months).

Results

The sensation of pressure, teeth sensitivity, pain and impaired speech declined significantly in Group A. All complaints decreased significantly in Group B, but the changes in 'lack of confidence in public' were not significant. Moreover the sensation of pressure, teeth sensitivity, oral constraint and impaired speech were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B.

Conclusion

The modified Activator caused less discomfort than the Trainer for Kids and was more acceptable.

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