Comparative Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation Level and Heart Rate Using Pulse Oximeter during Non - Surgical and Surgical Periodontal Therapy - An Observational Study

Stress and anxiety can alter the respiratory rate which in time, may alter oxygen saturation levels in the blood. Pulse oximetry is used to record oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR). AIM: To establish a relationship between SpO2 level and HR during periodontal therapy using pulse oximeter. METHODOLOGY: 20 subjects with chronic periodontitis, requiring periodontal non - surgical or surgical (periodontal flap surgery) intervention were divided into two groups: Group A (N = 10) -Non-surgical therapy and Group B (N = 10) -Surgical therapy. Plaque index, probing pocket depth were evaluated and SpO2 and HR were recorded using pulse oximeter. RESULTS: The highest values of SpO2 and HR level were observed preoperatively and least values were observed intraoperatively in periodontal non-surgical and surgical therapy. A decrease was noted in SpO2 and HR values preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively in nonsurgical periodontal therapy as compared to surgical periodontal therapy. CONCLUSION: In contrast to common clinical perception of periodontal surgical procedure being more stressful and traumatic there was greater decrease in oxygen saturation levels and heart rate during nonsurgical periodontal therapy than surgical periodontal therapy indicating that stress induced by periodontal procedures can be managed by the dentist-mediated behavioral control.