Experience of Intravenous Sedation Increases Incidence of Caries in Patients With Dental Anxiety

Abstract ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the decayed, missing due to caries, and filled teeth (DMFT) index of patients with dental anxiety during dental treatment discontinuation.Materials and MethodsA total of 110 patients who complained of fear and anxiety toward dental treatments and who re-visited following treatment discontinuation were enrolled in the study. Patient and dental data considered to be related to caries were digitally collected from medical and dental records. The decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) scores, and the DMFT index before and after discontinuation were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and the influential factors were evaluated using the Poisson and multiple regression analyses.ResultsThe D score and DMFT index increased significantly during the discontinuation period, and the F score decreased. There was no significant change in the M score. The change in the D score was influenced by the pre-discontinuation D score and the number of experiences of intravenous sedation, and the change in the F score was affected by the duration of treatment discontinuation, the DMFT index before discontinuation, and the number of experiences of intravenous sedation. The increase in the DMFT index was affected by the experience of intravenous sedation, the D and M scores, and the DMFT index before discontinuation.ConclusionDiscontinuation of dental treatment was proven to increase the incidence of caries in patients with dental anxiety.Clinical Relevance: Avoiding treatment discontinuation is crucial, particularly in patients treated using intravenous sedation.