Comparison of preoperative anxiety, bruxism, and postoperative pain among patients undergoing surgery for septoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery, and tympanoplasty.

Background: Septoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery, and tympanoplasty are the most commonly performed elective functional ear-nose-throat surgeries. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between preoperative anxiety, bruxism, and postoperative pain in inpatient groups undergoing three different functional otorhinolaryngologic surgeries. Patients and. Methods: This study was conducted in a single center of a tertiary referral hospital. The patients (n = 90) who had undergone septoplasty (group A), endoscopic sinus surgery (group B), and tympanoplasty (group C) were included. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS) were administered. To evaluate bruxism, a self-questionnaire was administered, and for the evaluation of pain, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was administered. Results: In group C, preoperative STAI and APAIS and early and late pain values were higher than in the other groups. When patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of bruxism. A significant difference was found between the preoperative STAI and immediate and late VAS values (P < 0.001). A strong correlation was observed between APAIS and early and late VAS values in group C (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients who will undergo tympanoplasty should be aware of the preoperative anxiety level and pain follow-up. Bruxism can be considered a vital follow-up parameter that manifests due to high preoperative anxiety. It may also be useful to examine preoperative bruxism and take appropriate measures due to its pain-increasing effect in patients.

In vitro study of the penetration of Streptococcus sanguis and Prevotella intermedia strains into human dentinal tubules.

The persistent presence of bacteria in the root canal system often leads to the failure of treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine in vitro penetration of Streptococcus sanguis and Prevotella intermedia into dentinal tubules. Samples obtained from human teeth were inoculated with a strain of S. sanguis (NCTC 7853) and P. intermedia (NCTC 93336) for 20 days. Bacterial penetration into tubules was investigated at scanning electron microscopy and light microscopic level. The results showed that S. sanguis could penetrate into dentinal tubules 382.3 microns, whereas P. intermedia could penetrate 25.9 microns. It was observed that P. intermedia had not penetrated into all dentinal tubules. If penetration occurred the depth was quite limited.

Comparative evaluation of antibacterial effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation in root canals and dentinal tubules.

The antibacterial effects of the Nd:YAG laser on contaminated root canals and dentinal tubules were observed as the aim of this study. The samples were inoculated with Streptococcus sanguis (NCTC 7853) and Prevotella intermedia (NCTC 93336), and the effects of Nd:YAG laser were tested on these teeth. The specimens were lased with 1.8 W and 2.4 W Nd:YAG laser for 30 s, and the presence of bacteria in tubules was observed under light microscopy. The 1.8 W laser sterilized the tubules in 86.3% of sections inoculated with S. sanguis, whereas 2.4 W laser sterilized in 98.5% of the sections. Both laser powers sterilized all samples inoculated with P. intermedia. The scanning electron microscopic observations supported the light microscopic findings.