Monitoring Patient Anxiety, Pain, and Physiological Responses during Root Canal Treatment: An Observational Study.

AIM: This study aimed to assess physiological changes [heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO(2))] and pain perception in patients undergoing single-visit root canal treatment (RCT) and examine correlations with dental anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study included 76 adults who needed to undergo single visit root canal treatment (RCT). Patient anxiety was assessed preoperatively using the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS), with pain levels measured on the visual analog scale (VAS). HR and SpO(2) were monitored at six stages: Preoperative, local anesthesia, access cavity preparation, working length determination, biomechanical preparation, and 10 minutes post-procedure. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The study included 76 patients, aged 20-55 years (mean age = 35.6 +/- 8.9 years). Moderate pain (VAS 4-6) was reported by 47.36% of patients. Results indicated significant elevations in HR specifically during local anesthesia administration (93.9 +/- 8.2) and drilling (94.7 +/- 8.07), particularly in patients with moderate anxiety and severe pain levels (p < 0.05). Oxygen saturation levels remained stable across all procedural stages. Additionally, patients with prior negative dental experiences exhibited significantly elevated anxiety scores (p = 0.018). A moderate positive correlation was observed between anxiety levels and HRs. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that dental anxiety significantly influences HR during RCT, with patients exhibiting higher anxiety levels experiencing greater physiological stress. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Implementing anxiety management strategies and monitoring vital signs could enhance patient comfort and safety during RCT, particularly in individuals with prior negative dental experiences. How to cite this article: Pandey P, Jasrasaria N, Bharti R, et al. Monitoring Patient Anxiety, Pain, and Physiological Responses during Root Canal Treatment: An Observational Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(3):244-249.