J Periodontal Implant Sci.  2023 Aug;53(4):269-282. 10.5051/jpis.2202200110.

Efficacy of active noise-canceling headphones in patients undergoing ultrasonic scaling

• Kim JW
• Lee BA
• Park YS
• Chung J
• Choi SH
• Kim YT

• KMID: 2557372
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5051/jpis.2202200110

Abstract

Purpose
Dental fear hinders patients from receiving appropriate dental treatment. In particular, the noise generated by high-speed air turbines and ultrasonic scalers can adversely affect patients. Many efforts have been made to reduce the discomfort caused by noise, but no methods are definitively recommended. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones in reducing the pain and discomfort associated with dental scaling.
Methods
Fifty-five patients requiring scaling and root planing, aged ≥19 years and showing no auditory problems, were included. Scaling was performed for the bilateral maxillary molars and premolars while patients wore headphones, with ANC turned either on or off. The degree of noise and pain reduction in the on and off conditions were surveyed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare noiseand pain-related discomfort with ANC turned on and off.
Results
The sample included 28 men and 27 women with a mean age of 45.45±13.12 years. The average noise-related discomfort score was 3.84±2.12 and 2.95±1.99 when noisecanceling was turned off and on, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Similarly, the average pain-related discomfort score was 3.78±2.00 and 3.09±1.96 when noise-canceling was turned off and on, respectively, which was a statistically significant difference ((P<0.05).
Conclusions
The use of ANC headphones seems to reduce the discomfort caused by noise and pain in patients undergoing scaling. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: KCT0007093

Keyword

Auditory stimulation; Dental anxiety; Dental scaling; Noise