Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study

Jin Wang; Yin-Fei Pu; Hong-Tao Chen; Xiang-Song Bai; Xue Yang; Ai-Ping Ji; Jie Bai

doi:10.1016/j.identj.2025.100864

Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study

Int Dent J. 2025 Jul 2;75(4):100864. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2025.100864. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jin Wang¹, Yin-Fei Pu¹, Hong-Tao Chen¹, Xiang-Song Bai¹, Xue Yang¹, Ai-Ping Ji², Jie Bai³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR China.
² Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR China. Electronic address: ji_aiping@sina.com.
³ Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR China. Electronic address: jiebai1999@163.com.

PMID: 40609202
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2025.100864

Abstract

Introduction and aims: Making precise diagnoses of patients with dental pain is challenging. Thus, a screening system that can help accurately stratify patients depending on the severity of their condition is required. In this study, we compared the characteristics of dental pain in patients with different conditions using a Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ).

Methods: A total of 1541 patients admitted to the Peking University School of Stomatology between February 2022 and July 2023 were assessed. Demographic data and pain characteristics were collected. Pain was assessed using the SF-MPQ, which includes the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and Pain Rating Index (PRI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with variance analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a T-test was employed to assess the relationship between pain scores and various factors.

Results: A total of 11 conditions associated with dental pain were detected. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP, 427, 27.7%) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP, 429, 27.8%) were the most common conditions. Higher scores were seen in patients with SIP (5.5 ± 2.8 for PRI; 59.4 ± 24.4 for VAS; 2.9 ± 0.8 for PPI), SAP (5.6 ± 2.9 for PRI; 56.1 ± 32.0 for VAS; 2.8 ± 0.7 for PPI) and interappointment flare-up (IFU, 8.2 ± 0.5 for PRI; 56.2 ± 14.9 for VAS; 3.0 ± 0.0 for PPI). The location of pain in a tooth, spontaneous pain, sleep disturbance, duration of pain in a short time, taking painkillers was invalid, diagnosis with SIP and SAP, and IFU were significantly associated with higher pain scores (all P < .05).

Conclusions: Patients with SIP and SAP present with higher pain scores. The SF-MPQ can aid in the effectiveness of dental emergency triage by identifying true acute symptomatic patients and ensuring appropriate management based on the severity of their conditions.

Clinical relevance: SF-MPQ may help to increase effectiveness in dental emergency triage, diagnosis, and treatment.

Keywords: Dental Emergency Department; Dental Pain; Pain Assessment; Pain Management; Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire.