Effect of Music on Patient Experience during Root Canal Treatment

Typically, patients, referred for root canal treatment, present with high levels of anxiety and apprehension. Creation of a sensory-adapted-dental environment (SADE) may enhance patient comfort.  Objectives: of this study was to assess the effect of playing customized music in the dental operatory on patient experience during root canal treatment. Methods: A total of 100 patients participated in this clinical study.  Subjects were “blinded” to the research project. Patients were simply asked if they wanted to choose the music or have the dental assistant select the music. The specific music was played through the computer via the internet. Following the completion of the root canal therapy, each patient voluntarily completed a post-treatment questionnaire via an interview. Results: of the descriptive factors of the sample population (N=100) include: (1) Music Selection: patient-87%, dental assistant-13% (2) Sex: 40% male, 60% female (3) Age Distribution: Teens and Young Adults (teens, 20’s, 30’s)-26%, Middle-Aged Adults (40’s, 50’s)-49%, Older Adults (60’s, 70’s, 80’s)- 25% (4) 79% of the patients presented “in pain”. Specific periapical diagnosis: acute apical periodontitis-40%, acute exacerbation of chronic apical periodontitis-39% (5) Patient Pain Perception Scale (0-4): 0-WNL-22%. 1 to 2-Mild-27%, 3-Moderate-21%, 4-Severe-30%. Additional survey results (N=100): 100% stated it was a better experience, 96% felt more relaxed, 87% stated music made them less nervous, 100% thought it was a good idea. 5% of the patients fell asleep during treatment. No statistically significant associations were found between the Patient’s Level of Pain Perception and the patient responses of: (1) Stating It Was A Better Experience (2) Feeling More Relaxed (3) Making Them Less Nervous (4) Thinking It Was A Good Idea. Conclusion: of this study indicated that playing customized music during root canal treatment provided a better experience for the patient and made them more relaxed.