Separation Effect and Perception of Pain and Discomfort from Kesling and Elastomeric Orthodontic Separators: An In Vivo Study

Aim: To scrutinize Kesling and elastomeric orthodontic separators, focusing on the separating effect as well as patients’ perception of pain together with discomfort. Materials and methods: The separators tested were elastomeric as well as Kesling separators. Thirty subjects, scheduled for treatment having a fixed orthodontic appliance, were categorized into two groups. In group I subjects, elastomeric separators were placed, whereas in group II subjects, Kesling separators were placed. After 3 days, the extent of separation was recorded with a leaf gauge. A questionnaire of eight questions and visual analog scale were used to note the patient perceptions of pain and discomfort. Results: The mean separation formed by elastomeric and Kesling separator was 0.0457 and 0.0437 mm, respectively, of which elastomeric separator had made highest separation than the other separator used for the generation of separation at day 1 whereas the mean separation created by the elastomeric and Kesling separator at day 2 was 0.2327 mm and 0.1903 mm, respectively. 46.7% of patients on day 1, and on day 2, 56.7% of patients reported discomfort but not pain, while 73.3% of patients on day 3 reported discomfort but not pain from both types of separator. On day 1, 6.7% of patients, 13.3% on day 2, and 6.7% again on day 3 reported feeling pressure but no pain or discomfort. Conclusion: Elastomeric separators exhibited the highest separation compared to Kesling used for the separation, at all three days. The Kesling separator was a separator of choice in cases where the interproximal contact was tight. Clinical significance: Discomfort and pain due to separator will be minimized by reducing the duration of separator placement. Hence treatment acceptability will be more. There is no significant difference found in separation by increasing the day.