Evaluation of perioperative vital sign changes associated with dental anxiety during impacted mandibular third molar...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the time-dependent changes in vital signs during mandibular impacted third molar surgery and to examine the relationship between these changes and levels of dental anxiety and dental fear. In addition, whether Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Dental Fear Scale (DFS) scores differed according to gender was evaluated.

This study with repeated measurements included 46 patients scheduled for mandibular impacted third molar surgery in the mesioangular position and Pell-Gregory Class II-B. Dental anxiety was assessed using the MDAS, and dental fear was assessed using the DFS. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature were recorded preoperatively (T0), after local anesthesia (T1), after incision (T2), at the 10th minute of the operation (T3), and postoperatively (T4).

The mean age of the patients was 21.50±2.12 years, and 78.3% were female. Significant changes over time were observed in all vital signs. Heart rate showed a significant change across time points, with the highest mean value observed at T1 after local anesthesia (Friedman χ²=35.781, p < 0.001). MDAS and DFS scores showed significant positive correlations with preoperative and post-local anesthesia heart rate. Among DFS groups, a significant difference was found only for T1 heart rate (p = 0.033). MDAS and DFS scores were significantly higher in females than in males (p < 0.001).

Vital signs change according to surgical stages during mandibular impacted third molar surgery. The finding that heart rate reached its highest level after local anesthesia and that MDAS/DFS scores were associated with early heart rate measurements suggests that dental anxiety and dental fear may be related to the early cardiac stress response.