Abdul Razzaq Malik, Muhammad Nazir Khan, Wasif Ali Khan, Qudsia Kanwal, Saman Malik, Raja Shoaib Khan.
Degree of pain/discomfort experienced by patients during and after scaling and root planning.
Isra Med J Jan ;5(1):47-9.

OBJECTIVES: To determine: the degree of pain experienced by patients during periodontal probing and periodontal debridement by using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION: Conducted at Periodontology Department of Margalla Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS) Rawalpindi from December 2011 to May 2012. METHODOLOGY: Measurements for probing depths were performed, followed by pain ratings by each patient using a VAS. The hygienists also completed a VAS, estimating the pain level perceived by their patients. RESULTS: Among 106 patients, 70% showed low pain responses to both probing and instrumentation. In our study a group of 106 (56 male and 50 female) patients were included, which received scaling and root planing procedures, out of which 36.6% of the patients experienced mild pain, 33.3% felt moderate pain while only 13.3% felt severe pain. In addition the pain and discomfort remain low with 23.3% and 53% during procedures but increases to 53.3% and 86.7% after treatment respectively. CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients experience mild to moderate pain during scaling and root planing; moreover intensity of pain and discomfort felt after these procedures are greater than the pain sensation felt during the procedures.

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