Comparative evaluation of oxygen saturation during periodontal surgery with or without oral conscious sedation in anxious patients

CONTEXT: Stress and anxiety during dental procedure can alter respiratory rate and thereby alter oxygen saturation in the blood, leading to emergencies like syncope. It can be prevented by preoperative intravenous sedation. However, it can lead to respiratory depression. Hence, this study was carried out to analyze the effect of oral conscious sedation on oxygen saturation during periodontal surgery in anxious patients. AIM: The aim was to compare the oxygen saturation levels during periodontal surgery with and without oral conscious sedation using diazepam in anxious patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 generalized periodontitis patients, identified as anxious for dental treatment with dental anxiety scale. A randomized split-mouth design was used with one quadrant of surgery involving preoperative oral sedation (diazepam), and the second without it. Oxygen saturation was monitored by pulse oximetry. Data were recorded at 5 time periods during the surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Mann–Whitney U-test. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between sedated and nonsedated patients in oxygen saturation with P = 0.683. CONCLUSIONS: Oral conscious sedation can be used for anxious patients during periodontal surgery for alleviation of anxiety and for better patient acceptance during surgical procedures without significant respiratory depression.