International Journal of Clinical Science and Medical Research

Background: Endodontic therapy is frequently associated with pain, fear, and anxiety, which may activate physiological stress responses and influence vital signs. 

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of endodontic therapy on changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels and to determine the relationship between dental anxiety and changes in these parameters. 

Methods: This quantitative experimental study used a one-group pretest–posttest design involving 100 adult patients undergoing endodontic treatment. Blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels were measured before and after treatment. Dental anxiety was assessed using a Modified Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire. Data normality was analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Paired T-test was used for normally distributed variables, while the Wilcoxon test was applied to non-normally distributed data. The relationship between anxiety level and changes in vital signs was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. 

Results: The results showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (134.24 to 129.80 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (85.22 to 82.08 mmHg), heart rate (85.60 to 81.15 beats/minute), and blood glucose levels (159.29 to 145.95 mg/dL) after endodontic therapy (p < 0.001). Most participants presented with low to moderate dental anxiety. No significant correlation was found between anxiety level and changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose levels, or heart rate (p > 0.05). 

Conclusions: Endodontic therapy significantly affected patients’ vital signs by reducing physiological stress parameters; however, dental anxiety was not significantly associated with these changes.

Blood pressure, Heart rate, Blood glucose, Dental anxiety, Root canal treatment

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