Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study explored the psychosocial impact on patients undergoing wisdom tooth surgery of the current evidence-based recommendation to only undertake additional cone-beam computed tomography after panoramic X-ray shows a high risk of nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaires evaluated anxiety levels, awareness of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) necessity, satisfaction with the clinical pathway and the patient's treatment decision-making. Quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, linear regression, and independent t-tests were used to assess the outcomes. Qualitative data were thematically analysed using manual coding. RESULTS: The study included a total of 119 participants, where having a CBCT resulted in a self-reported 31% reduction in anxiety about the upcoming wisdom tooth surgery. Interestingly, 45% of all patients reported a substantial reduction in anxiety levels, and only 5 participants (4%) suffered increased anxiety. A significant association was found between anxiety levels and treatment decisions (P < 0.001), with more anxious participants being more likely to alter their treatment choices. Additionally, 54 out of 57 (95%) participants considered the CBCT worthwhile and increasing age was weakly negatively associated with anxiety, with no significant gender effect. CONCLUSIONS: We show for the first time that cone-beam computed tomography can reduce presurgical anxiety as well as enhance patient understanding of risks associated with wisdom tooth surgery. Further investigation of this anxiolytic phenomenon is required to determine if any clinical benefits outweigh the radiation risks.