Changes of Dental Implant Surgery-Related Anxiety and Pain with Respect to ASA-Physical Status

Background/Objectives: Rehabilitation of missing teeth with dental implants is a strong trigger of dental anxiety. The sympathetic response caused by anxiety can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular incidents, especially in patients at systemic risk (ASA Physical Status-II and ASA Physical Status-III). Dental anxiety can affect physical health by activating the sympathetic response, and the patient's physical health status may also affect dental anxiety. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that may reduce anxiety and pain, considering the patient's physical health status according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA-PS). Methods: A total of 562 implants were placed under local anesthesia in 201 patients with ASA PS-I (healthy) and ASA PS-II and III (comorbid). The effect of patient-, dentist-, and surgery-related variables on dental anxiety and pain perception were evaluated. Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale and Numerical Rating Scale for Pain scores were measured and recorded preoperatively (T0) and 1 week postoperatively (T1). The effects of the associated variables were analyzed using binary logistic regression and non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). Results: Age (OR = 1.089), gender (OR = 6.493), ASA-PS (OR = 13.912), and the number of placed implants (OR = 0.807) were significantly associated with reduction in dental anxiety. There were statistically significant differences between the study groups in terms of mDAS score reduction (p = 0.028). Conclusions: ASA-PS, gender and the number of placed implants affected the anxiety of the patients. Age and number of implants seem to be variables with a relative influence that depends on other factors.