Investigation of factors that influence pain experienced and the use of pain medication following periodontal surgery. (16th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beaudette, Jennifer R.; Fritz, Peter C.; Sullivan, Philip J.; Piccini, Assunta; Ward, Wendy E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical periodontology. Volume 45:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 578
• Page End: 585
• Publication Date: 2018-04-16
• Subjects: actual pain -- anticipated pain -- anxiety -- implant surgery -- sedation -- soft tissue graft -- visual analog scale; Periodontics -- Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.12885
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-6979

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To determine the relationship between anticipated pain and actual pain experienced following soft tissue grafting or implant surgery; to identify the factors that predict actual pain experienced and the use of pain medication following soft tissue grafting or implant surgery. Materials and Methods: Prior to dental implant placement ( n = 98) or soft tissue grafting ( n = 115) and for seven days following the procedure, patients completed a visual analog scale indicating anticipated or experienced pain, respectively. The use of pain medication and alcohol, and smoking were measured. Results: Actual pain experienced on day 1 was lower ( p < .01) than anticipated pain and continued to decrease ( p ≤ .01) for each of the 7 consecutive days. Anticipated and actual pain were positively correlated. Increasing age ( p < .05), having sedation during the surgery ( p < .05), and lower use of pain pills ( p < .01) predicted lower pain experienced. Actual pain experienced was a predictor of pain pill use ( p < .01). Greater nervousness ( p < .01) prior to surgery was a predictor of greater anticipated pain. Conclusions: Patients anticipated more pain than they actually experienced. Sedation, age and number of pain pills used predicted pain experienced. This trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03064178.