Assessment of Separation Impact and Perception of Discomfort on Various Orthodontic Separators: A Comparative Clinical Study

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the extent of separation and perception of pain and discomfort with the use of three different orthodontic separators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of sixty participants (26 males and 34 females) aged between 18 and 25 years were enrolled in this study. Participants were divided into three experimental groups: Group I: elastomeric separator, Group II: Dumbbell separators, and Group III: Kesling Separators. All the participants were asked to revisit 24 h after separator placement, and the effect of separation obtained by three different types of separators was measured. The space generated between premolars and molars was recorded separately on days 1, 3, and 7. The visual analog scales were used to assess pain. RESULTS: The mean age in Dumbbell separators group was slightly more (23.32 ± 2.28) compared to Kesling Separators and Elastomeric separator group (22.46 ± 1.20 and 21.10 ± 1.19 years, respectively). The extent of separation on days 1, 3, and 7 was more in Group II study participants (0.20 ± 0.02, 0.32 ± 0.05, and 0.48 ± 0.07 mm, respectively) compared to other groups. A statistically significant (P = 0.022) difference was noted on day 7 in terms of no pain being recorded more in Group II participants, followed next by Groups III and I. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the Dumbbell separators produce acceptable separation with negligible pain and discomfort when compared to elastomeric separators and Kesling separators.