A cross-sectional study on dental anxiety and state anxiety related to removal of fixed partial dentures.

This article focuses on a cross-sectional study investigating the impact of clinical removal of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and anxiety levels in 300 patients. Using the United Kingdom Oral Health-Related Quality-of-Life Measure (OHRQoL-UK), the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the study found no significant differences in OHRQoL across different clinical reasons for FPD removal, but significant variations in anxiety levels. Specifically, removal due to endodontic treatment and tooth extraction were associated with higher anxiety, and females were found to be 2.2 times more likely to exhibit trait anxiety than males. The findings suggest that sex and clinical reasons for FPD removal are risk factors for elevated anxiety, while factors such as age, duration of denture use, and denture satisfaction were not, highlighting the importance of tailored patient communication during FPD removal procedures.