Clinical setting influences physiological responses in dental implant patients

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate changes in blood pressure and heart rate in patients undergoing dental implant procedures, considering the dental setting as the main variable. METHODS: Fifty-five patients who underwent dental implant surgery were evaluated. Thirty-seven were treated at a university clinic and 18 were treated at a private office. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the following time-points at the appointment prior to surgery (T0), immediately before the surgical procedure (T1), during anesthesia (T2), during implant installation (T3), immediately after the surgical procedure (T4) and at the first follow-up appointment after surgery (T5). The data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The university clinic patients had an increase in heart rate at T5 (t53=2.62, p<0.05) compared with private office patients. Systolic blood pressure in university clinic patients was higher at T2 (t53=2.86, p<0.01), T3 (t53=2.64, p<0.05), and T4 (t53=3.15, p<0.01). Diastolic blood pressure at T2 (t53=3.15, p<0.01) and T3 (t53=3.86, p<0.01) were also higher in university clinic patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the dental setting is a relevant factor when planning dental implant surgery...