Music therapy during restorative dental care
Effectiveness of Music-Based Interventions in Reducing Dental Anxiety During Restorative Dental Treatment
This study will see if listening to classical or Turkish music during a routine filling reduces anxiety and stress markers in adults with moderate-to-high dental anxiety.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ataturk University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Erzurum, Erzurum) |
| Trial ID | NCT07173491 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with moderate-to-high dental anxiety (MDAS ≥10) and a single D2 dentin caries will be randomized to one of three groups (classical music, Turkish music, or control) with 25 participants per group. All participants will receive a standardized single-session restorative procedure under local anesthetic without vasoconstrictor performed by the same clinician, and the total procedure time will be recorded. Physiological measures (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation), salivary biomarkers (cortisol and alpha-amylase), and MDAS scores will be collected before and after the procedure to compare stress and anxiety responses between groups. Unstimulated saliva samples will be obtained and analyzed and outcomes compared across the music and control groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Systemically healthy adults aged 18–40 with a single D2 dentin caries requiring a one-session restorative treatment and an MDAS score of 10 or higher.
Not a fit: Patients with low dental anxiety (MDAS ≤9), deep/pulpal or complex lesions, hearing impairment, current psychiatric disorders or medications, or who cannot attend the Erzurum clinic are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, providing music during restorative appointments could reduce patients' anxiety and physiological stress, making treatments more comfortable and potentially improving future dental attendance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical work has shown that music can reduce dental anxiety and some physiological stress markers, so this approach is supported by prior, though variable, evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Systemically healthy adults aged 18-40 years. * Presence of D2 dentin caries confirmed by clinical and radiographic examination, characterized by radiolucency limited to the outer half of the dentin without pulpal or periapical pathology, * Indication for single-session restorative treatment, * Individuals with moderate-to-high dental anxiety according to the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), defined as a total score ≥10 (moderate: 10-18; high: ≥19). * Ability and willingness to complete questionnaires and comply with study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * deep dentin or pulpal involvement lesions, secondary caries, cracks, or fractured teeth, * Acute or spontaneous dental pain, percussion sensitivity, or periapical pathology, * Individuals with an MDAS total score ≤ 9 (no/low dental anxiety) were excluded. * Hearing impairment or contraindications for music therapy, * Psychiatric medication use or a diagnosed psychiatric disorder affecting anxiety response, * Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
Where this trial is running
Erzurum, Erzurum
- Ataturk university, Faculty of dentistry, Department of restorative Dentistry clinics — Erzurum, Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Neslihan Çelik, Phd
- Email: dtnesli@hotmail.com
- Phone: +905065640964
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.