The impact of operation durations for bilaterally i̇mpacted mandibular third molar extractions on dental anxiety

Objective: Dental anxiety is a prevalent condition that causes individuals to avoid dental procedures and also affects their oral and dental health. Previous studies have demonstrated that procedures involving rotary instruments are significant contributors to dental anxiety. The extraction of impacted teeth is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, and various factors have been shown to influence anxiety levels during the operation. One of these factors is the duration of the surgical procedure. Although some studies have examined the relationship between operation duration and anxiety, none have investigated different impacted tooth extractions within the same patient across multiple sessions. The aim of this study was to assess anxiety levels before and after operation durations and dental procedures that patients would encounter in the future. Method: In this study involving 48 participants, the impacted lower molars of the same patient were extracted in two separate sessions. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) were administered in the waiting room before the extractions, after local anesthesia administration, and after the completion of the surgical procedures. The rotary instrument using duration and the overall duration of the procedures were measured. The pain experienced by the patient during the procedure was recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: No significant relationship was observed between the duration of the procedure and dental anxiety, state anxiety, or trait anxiety. Although the average duration of the second operation was significantly longer compared to the first, patients exhibited lower anxiety levels. Patients' prior experience with oral surgery was found to prepare them for future oral surgeries. The frequency of dental visits and previous surgical experiences were found to be associated with patients' trait anxiety. In all cases, postoperative anxiety was lower than preoperative anxiety. Conclusion: This study demonstrated no relationship between the duration of the surgical procedure and dental anxiety, state anxiety, or trait anxiety.