Salivary cortisol determinations and self-rating scales in the assessment of stress in patients undergoing the extraction of wisdom teeth

Abstract

Objective To investigate salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing third molar removal under local and general anaesthesia. Design Random sampling of two independent groups. Methods Samples of saliva were collected from patients prior to and after surgery for the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. The samples were analysed to assess cortisol levels. Patients were also asked to complete a Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaire on the day of surgery. Results Patients receiving treatment under local anaesthesia showed lower levels of stress response than those having treatment under general anaesthesia on the actual day of surgery did (Fig. 1). No other significant differences were noted. Figure 1 Mean +l S.D. salivary cortisol concentrations (nmol/L) pre-, post- and on the day of surgery in subjects undergoing extraction of wisdom teeth under either general anaesthetic (GA; n = 27) or local anaesthetic (LA; n = 27) Conclusion Local anaesthesia is the preferred mode of pain control for patients who express no strong preference for type of anaesthetic.