Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of preoperative anxiety level on postoperative pain sensation in partially edentulous
patients undergoing surgery for implant denture. Methods Eighty partially edentulous patients receiving implant denture
were examined for preoperative anxiety level using State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Modified Dental Anxiety Scale
(MDAS) questionnaires before implantation surgery. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI)
Questionnaire were used to assess the pain sensation in patients immediately after the operation. The correlations of
preoperative state anxiety, trait anxiety, and dental anxiety with postoperative VAS score were analyzed. According to the
assessment results of STAI, the patients were divided into little or no (score range 20-37) anxiety group (L group), moderate
(38-44) anxiety group (M group), and high (45-80) anxiety group (H group) to analyze the effect of state anxiety and trait
anxiety levels on postoperative pain sensation. Results Significantly positive correlations were found between preoperative
state anxiety, trait anxiety and dental anxiety among the patients (P<0.01). Postoperative VAS score was positively correlated
with trait anxiety score (P<0.01) and differed significantly between different trait anxiety groups (P<0.01). Compared with the
patients in M and L groups, those in H group showed a significantly higher VAS score after the operation (P<0.05). Conclusion
The preoperative trait anxiety level is associated with postoperative pain sensation in partially edentulous patients receiving
implant denture, suggesting the necessity of preoperative anxiety intervention in clinical practice.