Evaluation of the effect of dental anxiety on vital signs in the order of third molar extraction.

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is a prevalent concern affecting patients undergoing various dental procedures, particularly surgical interventions. Understanding the impact of patients' anxiety levels on their physiological responses during dental surgeries, such as third molar impaction surgery, is crucial for optimizing patient care and outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of patients' anxiety levels on vital signs during third molar teeth impaction surgery. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 45 randomly selected, healthy patients. Demographic information was recorded after obtaining consent from the patients prior to surgical intervention. Preoperative anxiety levels were determined using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Pupil measurements were taken from the patients before surgery, at 10 min after the surgery began, and at 10 min after the surgery ended. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) values were recorded. RESULTS: The MDAS test results were statistically significantly higher in women compared to men (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were observed between MDAS score and both preoperative pulse rate (r = 0.344, p = 0.021) and SpO2 level during the operation (r = 0.462, p = 0.001). However, no significant correlations were found between MDAS and DBP (p = 0.575), SBP (p = 0.176), fever (p = 0.238), or pupil diameter (p = 0.338). CONCLUSIONS: Third molar impaction surgery induces anxiety in adult patients 20 years and older. Vital sign monitoring provides information about the patient's emotional state, both before and during the procedure. Since anxiety causes changes in vital signs during dental procedures, it is important to follow these findings to have an idea about the general condition of the patients.

Perspective on Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: Foramen Tympanicum Defect.

BACKGROUND: Foramen tympanicum (FT) is a defect located anterior-inferior to the external acoustic meatus. We evaluated its prevalence, location, size, and relationship with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography was performed for 200 patients who presented to the Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University Ahmet Kelesoglu Faculty of Dentistry Hospital. The location and size of the FT in the axial and sagittal planes were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the study parameters among age and sex groups. Patients with FT were reevaluated by two maxillofacial surgeons at the study centre. RESULTS: In total, 200 images from 400 joints were examined. Unilateral and bilateral FT (19 [9.5%] and 8 [4%], respectively) was detected in 35 (17.5%) images from 27 (13.5%) patients. Examinations were performed for TMJ disorders in 24 patients. Participants with bilateral defects had the highest rates of presence of sounds and ear pain on the left and right sides (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Foramen tympanicum can lead to TMJ disorders and spread of tumours or infections from the external auditory canal to the infratemporal fossa. The increased prevalence of such disorders in patients with bilateral FT suggests an association between them.

The effects of dry needling and face yoga on pain, depression, function, and sleep quality in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.

CONTEXT: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) poses significant challenges due to its diverse symptoms and impact on patients' daily lives. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of two innovative interventions, dry needling and face yoga, in managing TMD-related issues such as pain, depression, and sleep quality. DESIGN AND STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients with TMD symptoms were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial. The patients were divided into three groups: dry needling, face yoga, and a control group. Various assessments, including Visual Analog Scale for pain, Beck Depression Inventory for depression, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, were conducted before and 6 weeks after the interventions. RESULTS: A decrease in pain levels and a statistically significant increase in jaw joint movements (mouth opening, protrusive movement, lateral movements) were observed in the dry needling and face yoga groups after treatment (p <0.05). Additionally, improvements in sleep quality were observed (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Dry needling and face yoga interventions demonstrated efficacy in managing TMD symptoms, including pain relief and improved jaw movement. The findings suggest that these interventions can be valuable additions to the treatment regimen for patients suffering from TMD-related issues. However, further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying these interventions in TMD management.