Estimation of Salivary Cortisol among subjects undergoing Scaling, Restorative and Biopsy procedures: An In Vivo Study

Aims and objective: Anxiety, fear and pain assessment is essential in day to day Dental practice. The present study was conducted to check salivary cortisol response to stress among subjects undergoing, scaling, restorative and biopsy procedures: An In Vivo Study Methodology: The salivary cortisol level were checked in 60 patients, out of which 30 patients were healthy patient who do not require any Dental treatment and 30 patients who underwent Scaling, Restorative And Biopsy procedures. The groups divided were as follows. Group 1: control group with no treatment and just the saliva sample was taken. Group 2; The patients underwent scaling Group 3; The patients underwent Class 1 cavity preparation and thereafter restoration with Glass Ionomer restoration Group 4; The patients underwent incisional biopsy for patients having chronic ulcers, leukoplakia, erythroplakia or lichen planus The salivary cortisol levels were checked using Salivary Cortisol Enzyme Immunoassay Kit. Results: The salivary cortisol level was highest in Group 4 followed by Group 2, Group 3 and least in Group 1. Conclusion: The stress level was lowest in healthy patient and highest when patient underwent incisional biopsy for patients having chronic ulcers, leukoplakia, erythroplakia or lichen planus. Dentist should try to minimize subject anxiety and stress to great extent.