Evaluation of Dental Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Second-Stage Implant Surgery with Er,Cr: YSGG Laser Treatment: Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION: Oral surgical procedures cause high-pain expectation and consequent anxiety in patients. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Er,Cr: YSGG laser and scalpel method on dental anxiety level during second-stage implant surgery.
METHODS: 96 patients with 304 osseointegrated implants were divided into two groups. Implants embedded under the oral mucosa were exposed with scalpel or laser surgery. Before the operation the patients were asked to fill the STAI and DAS while resting in the waiting room. In addition, postoperative daily analgesic use, VAS scores perioperativly and on the postoperative 1st, 2nd and 3rd days and demographic information such as age and gender were also recorded.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant relationship between surgical method and anxiety levels (p> 0.05).Also the differences between the scalpel and laser groups in terms of total DAS and STAI scores were statistically insignificant(p>0.05). But statistically significant difference was found between surgical method and the analgesic consumption(p<0.05). A higher rate of analgesic use was observed in the scalpel group.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The use of Er,Cr;YSGG laser could reduce pain during minor oral surgical procedures but had no significant effect on dental anxiety. Different modalities that could provide additional benefits in overcoming this situation should be investigated.