Changes in Ability of Patients to Differentiate Intensity of Forces Applied to Maxillary Central Incisors During Orthodontic Treatment

Abstract

Changes in the subjective ability of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment to distinguish differences in intensity of forces applied to maxillary central incisors were evaluated. A decided reduction of this discriminatory ability was recorded four days after the insertion of orthodontic appliances. A significant reduction in pain threshold to these forces also was noted. Subsequent measurements showed a definite trend toward the initial pretreatment values.