Thermography as a Method to Detect Dental Anxiety in Oral Surgery

(1) Background: the aim of this study was to evaluate if dental anxiety can be measured objectively using thermal infrared imaging. (2) Methods: Patients referred Department Oral Surgery University Naples Federico II and requiring extractions were consecutively enrolled in study. Face distribution images patients acquired before during their first clinical examination cameras. The data analyzed relation five regions interest (ROI) patient’s face (nose, ear, forehead, zygoma, chin). differences temperatures assessed between two measurements for each ROI evaluated by paired T-test. Pearson correlation linear regression performed association Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) questionnaire score, age, gender; (3) results: sixty participants (28 males 32 females; mean age 57.4 year-old; range 18–80 year-old). Only nose ear zone there a statistically significant difference at baseline visit. Correlation imaging scores MDAS found but not all other regions. (4) Conclusions: demonstrated potential use measure anxiety.