Anxiety in patients undergoing surgical extraction of mandibular third molars

Aim: The present study aimed to assess the amount of anxiety felt before and immediately after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars.Materials and Methods: Patients' anxiety related to mandibular third molar surgery was prospectively measured before and after the procedure. Each patient level of anxiety was measured using a visual analog scale preoperatively and immediately postoperatively. Patients older than 18 years who were referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, for surgical removal of mandibular third molars were asked to participate in this study. Data including patient's demographic information, type of the third molar, and severity of surgical removal were recorded. The patient's age and gender and its relation to level anxiety were analyzed. Surgical removal of all third molars was performed by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon under local anesthesia without sedation.Results: Eighty-four patients participated in the present study, of which male participants were 36.7% and female patients were 64.3%. The mean age of participants was 42.07 ± 14.93 years and ranged from 18 to 70 years. The amount of anxiety preoperative compared to postoperative was statistically significant different (P < 0.00). No statistically significant differences observed between males and females patients before (P = 0.41) and after surgery (P = 0.11). Patients younger than 30 years old and older than 55 years old had significant reduction in anxiety postoperatively (P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively).Conclusion: The amount of anxiety related to surgical extraction of mandibular third molars was higher preoperatively than postoperatively, without any relation to the age and gender. Preoperative patients' reassurance and adequate explanation are recommended.