Musical Intervention in Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy as New Direction in Behavioral Management: A Split Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Dental anxiety and dental fear are strong negative feelings associated with dental treatment. Despite advances in dental technologies and treatment, pain and anxiety affect the use of oral health care services, treatment decision-making, and responses to periodontal treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effect of musical distraction to reduce anxiety and pain perception during ultrasonic scaling. Methodology: Thirty gingivitis patients aged 18-40 years were included in this single blind split mouth study. Patients randomly received scaling under two treatment conditions, one with and another without musical distraction therapy. At baseline and after each scaling procedure, patients responded to questions about their anxiety using Corah dental anxiety scale (CDAS) and pain score was recorded by using a visual analog scale (VAS) during the scaling procedure. Patients blood pressure (BP) and pulse pressure (PP) were also recorded during the treatment. Results: Subjects reported less anxiety and pain with musical distraction. Most subjects preferred to use treatment with musical therapy rather than receiving traditional treatment. The mean anxiety scores for baseline, control, and musical distraction were 2.60 (0.99), 1.71 (0.84), and 1.32 (0.66), respectively. Mean BP and mean pulse pressure (PP) were less in group with musical distraction as compared to the control group. The mean (SD) visual analog scale scores in control group was 4.73 (1.53) and group with musical distraction was 3.27 (1.31). Conclusion: Musical distraction is an effective method for reduction of anxiety and pain during ultrasonic scaling procedure in dental patients.