The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ibuprofen, viscoelastic bite wafers, and chewing gum in reducing orthodontic pain. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 50 girls between the ages of 13 and 18 years classified into 5 groups of 10 each: placebo, ibuprofen (400 mg), chewing gum, soft viscoelastic wafer, and hard viscoelastic wafer. The patients in each group received 1 method immediately after placement of the initial archwires and every 8 hours if they experienced pain. Pain perception was recorded by the patients while chewing, biting, fitting front teeth, and fitting posterior teeth at 2 hours, 6 hours, bedtime, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, and 7 days after archwire placement, using a visual analog scale. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests were used for data analysis. Results: There were significant differences in pain perception of chewing function between the placebo group and the chewing-gum group at 24 hours and 7 days, and between the placebo group and the hard-viscoelastic group on the day 7 (P \\0.05). Also, there were significant differences between the placebo group and the soft-viscoelastic group, and between the placebo group and the hard-viscoelastic group in pain severity when fitting posterior teeth at 6 hours (P \\0.05). At other times and with other functions, no significant differences were recorded. Conclusions: Both chewing gum and viscoelastic bite wafers are effective for pain reduction in orthodontic patients and can be recommended as suitable substitutes for ibuprofen.

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