Dental anxiety, cardiovascular changes and patient preconceptions toward implants and root canal treatments: An observational study

BACKGROUND: There is little information about dental anxiety and the patient’s vital signs during dental procedures. This study evaluates and compare patient anxiety levels and cardiovascular changes before and during root canal treatment (RCT) and single-tooth implant procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative data and pre-treatment considerations were recorded. HR and SpO2 were monitored during treatment procedures at five points. Data were analyzed accordingly using Mann Whitney or X2 tests. 80 patients met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Anxiety and fear scores were strongly correlated (p< 0.001). Both treatments resulted in low levels of dental anxiety and fear. Patients with a prior dental bad experience presented higher anxiety scores in the implant treatment group (p< 0.05). Implant treatment was considered a more time-consuming and more painful procedure than root canal treatment (p< 0.05). No significant relation was found between the level of anxiety with HR and SpO2. CONCLUSIONS: No significant relation was found between the level of dental anxiety with HR and SpO2. Single-implant treatment was pre-considered to be a more time-consuming and more painful procedure when compared with a RCT. HR was higher at the initial stages and decreased as both procedures finished. Key words:Dental anxiety, endodontics, dental implants, oximetry, heart rate.