Evaluation of the effect of different information methods performed before implant surgery on salvet cortisol and anxiety levels

Objective:. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of different information methods before implant surgery on salivary cortisol and anxiety levels. Material and method: A total of 68 patients, 34 patients in each group, were included in the study and the patients were divided into two groups using the closed envelope technique. The patients in the first group were informed verbally about the procedure in dental implant surgery and the post-operative period. The patients in the second group were shown the video we prepared showing the implant surgery process. MDAS, STAI-S and STAI-T questionnaires were applied to the patients before and after the information. In addition, to compare the patients stress levels, the levels of cortisol, which is the primary stress biomarker, was measured by collecting saliva samples twice, before and after the information. VAS was used to evaluate the effect of stress on pain levels. The Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Mann–Whitney U test and t-test were used in statistical analysis. Relationships between categorical variables were analyzed with Chi-square/Fisher exact analysis, and relationships between continuous variables were analyzed with Spearman correlation analysis. Results: In our study, there was no statistically significant difference in anxiety levels between the group given verbal information and the group that was informed by watching videos. The rate of patients who watched videos on the internet in the verbal information group (64.7%) was found to be significantly higher than the group that was informed by watching the video (26.5%) (p<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the STAI state score after the information and the modified dental anxiety scale compared to the pre-information STAI state score and the modified dental anxiety scale. Likewise, a positive correlation was found between cortisol levels before and after the information. Conclusion: Although we could not find the superiority of the different information methods over each other, we think that the information provided by the experts is effective in reducing dental anxiety. Key words: Dental Anxiety, Cortisol, Implant Surgery