Anxiety measurements in university students undergoing third molar extraction

Objective. This investigation was conducted to quantitate the anxiety associated with third molar extraction in university students, and to compare the measured anxiety before and after extraction and between men and women, first and second extraction, and impacted versus nonimpacted tooth extraction. Study design. The Japanese version of The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a psychological test, was given to 108 students undergoing third molar extraction. The students completed the test on the first examination (day 1), immediately before the extraction (day 2), and the day after the extraction (day 3). Results. The state anxiety (STAI-S) score showed no significant difference between days I and 2, but the score on day 3 was lower than that on day 1, with a decrease in cases with a stage IV or V. Women showed more anxiety state on day 2 than men. The anxiety score on days 2 and 3 for the second extraction were significantly lower than those for the first extraction in 43 students who underwent third molar extractions twice. The change in the trait anxiety (STAI-T) stage was unremarkable among days 1, 2, and 3. No statistical difference was found in the anxiety between students undergoing impacted and nonimpacted third molar extraction. Conclusions. The anxiety status of students undergoing third molar extraction could be quantitatively evaluated using the STAI. The results of this investigation may provide oral maxillofacial surgeons with useful information about patients' anxiety throughout the tooth removal process.