Do dental procedures affect lung function and arterial oxygen saturation in asthmatic patients?

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways. Pain and anxiety triggered by dental treatment can induce the secretion of endogenous catecholamines. When the situation is combined with the use of local anesthetics with vasoconstrictors, it may increase its undesirable effects on the cardiovascular system and respiratory systems.Aim of the work: To evaluate the effects of dental procedures with and without local anesthesia on pulmonary function and arterial oxygen saturation in healthy volunteers and asthmatic patients.Patients and methods: Our study included 30 asthmatic patients, and 20 healthy volunteers. Careful history taking, clinical examination, spirometry and pulse oximetry to measure O 2 saturation before and 10 min after dental procedures were obtained.Results: Pulmonary function showed a statistically significant decrease in PEF and O 2 saturation in asthmatic patients and a statistically significant decrease in O 2 saturation in the healthy group after dental procedures compared to pre-procedure results. Asthmatic patients receiving local anesthesia had a statistically significant decrease in PEF and O 2 saturation after dental procedures compared to pre-procedure results. In the healthy group, there was a statistically significant decrease in O 2 saturation after dental filling and dental prosthesis and in asthmatic patients after dental filling, extraction, prosthesis, and scaling compared to that before.

Effect of Routine dental procedures on the pulse rate and peripheral oxygen saturation in pediatric patients

“…Authors have diverse conclusion regarding trend for the oxygen saturation. SpO 2 remained unaltered 7,28 insignificant desaturations below preoperative baseline, 8,10 at the time of anesthetic delivery 1 and decreased O 2 saturation with increased subjective anxiety 3 also have been reported. Stress and anxiety can alter the respiratory rate which in time may alter oxygen saturation and or carbon dioxide levels in the blood.…”

“…Stress and anxiety can alter the respiratory rate which in time may alter oxygen saturation and or carbon dioxide levels in the blood. 10 A drop in SpO 2 levels for stressful procedures like extraction and pulpotomy also have been reported. 11 The mean pulse rate was higher in the children who had selected facial image scale 4 than those with other scores.…”

“…Short episodes of hypoxia may be of little consequence in healthy subjects, whereas in compromised patients early detection in physiological changes may avoid serious complications. 10 It is not deniable that these medical emergencies can occur even during dental procedures. 7 Therefore, it is essential that child experiences less distress while undergoing dental treatment with utilization of various behaviour modulation techniques.…”

“…17 Hypoxemia is usually defined as SpO 2 less than 90% 18 that usually do not occur with normal physiological conditions. 17 Emara et al 10 have reported that there was a statistically significant decrease in O2 saturation after dental procedures compared to pre-procedure saturation in the healthy individuals. A close affiliation exists between the peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) and pulse rate.…”

“…7 Stress/anxiety has the ability to alter physiologic functions like increased cortisol, rapid breathing tachycardia and trembling, changes in the blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate which in time may alter oxygen saturation and or carbon dioxide levels in the blood resulting in hypoxia. [8][9][10][11] Anxiety experienced during a dental visit may cause parasympathetic dominance, along with local anesthetics and use of vasoconstrictors, it may increase its undesirable effects on the cardiovascular system. 1,12 Pulse is part of the work system of the heart, thus in a state of heart pounding in the theory put forward by psychologists is one manifestation of physical symptoms in physiological level of anxiety.…”