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Comparison of Acupressure, Ibuprofen, and Chewing Gum for the Management of Post-Archwire Orthodontic Pain

NCT07638644 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 105

Last updated 2026-06-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out which method works best to reduce pain after braces are adjusted for the first time (when the first archwire is placed). The study will compare three approaches: acupressure (applying pressure on a specific point on the hand), ibuprofen (a pain-relief medicine), and chewing sugar-free gum. It will also check how safe these methods are and whether patients need extra pain medicine.

The main questions the researchers want to answer are:

Which method reduces orthodontic pain the most after the first archwire is placed? Do patients need extra painkillers in any of the groups? Are there any problems with braces (such as loose brackets or wire issues) within the first week?

Researchers will compare the three groups to see which option gives the best pain relief during the first few days after braces are activated.

Participants will:

Be placed into one of three groups: acupressure, ibuprofen, or chewing gum Use their assigned method after their first orthodontic wire is placed Rate their pain at different time points using a simple pain scale (VAS) Report if they take any extra pain medicine Be checked for any brace-related problems for up to 7 days

This study may help improve comfort and pain management for patients starting orthodontic treatment.

Conditions

  • Malocclusion

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Acupressure

Participants in this arm will receive instructions on the use of acupressure for orthodontic pain management following placement of the initial archwire. Verbal instructions and a standardized advice sheet will be provided. Participants will be trained to apply steady, perpendicular pressure using the thumb of the opposite hand to the LI4 (Hegu) acupressure point for approximately 3 minutes. The location of the LI4 point will be demonstrated and identified as the point on the dorsum of the hand between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone near its radial border. Participants will be instructed to perform acupressure according to the standardized study protocol.

DRUG

Ibuprofen 400 mg (if necessary)

In the ibuprofen group participants will be provided with a 400 mg oral dose post arch wire placement. With a minimum gap of 8 hours between doses, remaining doses will be taken as per need for the relief of pain with the total daily dose not surpassing 1200 mg.

BEHAVIORAL

Chewing Gum

Instructions to chew sugar-free gum for a period of 10 minutes immediately post arch wire placement will be provided to the chewing gum group, 8 hourly, for pain relief.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Bahria University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
15 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-07-01
Primary Completion
2027-02-01
Completion
2027-07-01

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07638644 on ClinicalTrials.gov