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Published on: November 6, 2019
Evaluation of dental anxiety in patients undergoing dentoalveolar surgery with laser treatment
Faysal Ugurlu1, Onur Cavus, Alper Kaya
1Dentistry Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Marmara University Marmara Üniversitesi Nişantaşı Kampusu, Büyük Çiftlik Sk. Nişantaşı /Şişli /İstanbul, Turkey. faysalugurlu@hotmail.com
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental anxiety in patients undergoing apicectomy procedures performed with conventional instruments or an erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser.
Methods:
Twenty-eight patients undergoing apicectomy were divided into two groups; roots were removed with an Er:YAG laser in group A (n=14) and with conventional instruments in group B (n=14). All patients completed preoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI) and postoperative questionnaires.
Results:
Although state anxiety, trait anxiety, and postoperative questionnaire scores were lower in patients undergoing Er:YAG laser treatment than in those treated with conventional instruments, the differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
Surgical instruments affect the anxiety levels of dental patients. Even with the STAI scores being lower for patients treated with Er:YAG, use of the Er:YAG laser alone cannot contribute to the resolution of dental anxiety. A patient's individual condition is the major factor influencing that patient's anxiety level.