Patient satisfaction before and after occlusal adjustment using a visual analog scale

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the most desirable method of occlusal adjustment in patients with occlusal trauma due to occlusal interference by their natural teeth and propose further considerations for occlusal adjustment. Among patients with occlusal interference of natural teeth and resulting occlusal trauma, occlusal adjustment was performed for 71 patients, and a questionnaire was administered to assess the discomfort experienced by the patients before and during treatment. Informed consent was obtained from the patients. The patient's discomfort before treatment was first examined, and satisfaction after treatment was investigated using the same survey. The questionnaire survey revealed that patients were concerned about the noise and process of the treatment before occlusal adjustment; however, following the treatment, noise was the primary discomfort. Before treatment, women exhibited higher treatment-related anxiety than men; however, no such sex-related difference was observed after treatment. Furthermore, both sexes considered the noise associated with the treatment to cause maximum discomfort, and patients in both the treatment groups assigned high scores for the necessity of occlusal adjustment, sufficient relevant information should be provided to patients to minimize treatment-related anxiety. Moreover, noise management can help improve patient satisfaction with the treatment.