Assessment of anxiety in patients who undergo surgical procedures for tooth implants: a prospective study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate general anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and dental anxiety using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (Corah-DAS) in patients who underwent surgical procedures for dental implants.

The study was performed with 55 patients who underwent implant surgery, of whom 37 were treated at a university and 18 were treated at a private office. General anxiety (STAI) and dental anxiety (Corah-DAS) were assessed at three different time points: appointment prior to clinical procedures (T1), day of procedures (just before the procedures; T2), and first post-procedure appointment (T3). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Duncan test or Student's t-test.

State anxiety increased on the day of surgery (T2), whereas trait anxiety was higher at T1 (both p < 0.05). Women (n = 41) presented higher state anxiety at T2 than men (n = 14). Patients who were treated at the university (n = 37) exhibited higher state anxiety at both T1 and T3 than patients who were treated in a private practice (n = 18). Individuals with lower dental anxiety at T1 were those who reported having good experiences with dental treatment.

An increase in state anxiety was observed immediately before surgical procedures, and this increase was more pronounced in females. Although the Corah-DAS has been used as an indicator of dental anxiety, the STAI appears to be more sensitive for the measurement of anxiety. The application of appropriate methods is essential for ascertaining anxiety in patients, which should be considered in oral surgeries.