Effect of Brainwave Entrainment on Perception of Anxiety during Dental Treatment: A Pilot Study

areas, during wakefulness particularly with eyes closed.These waves are blocked by attention particularly physical or mental effort.Theta waves with a frequency of 4-7.5 Hz are prominently seen in the frontocentral region associated with the onset of drowsiness and disappearance of alpha.While beta waves represent a busy and active state of mind, delta waves are prominent during sleep and dreaming. IntroductIonDental care, in general, is perceived to be invasive by the patients.Dental anxiety is the general term used to describe a wide spectrum of emotions vacillating from mild apprehension to extreme fear or anxiety.Recent studies demonstrate an increased demand for sedation during dental procedures, even during routine root canal treatments.1,2 Studies also report that anxiety can complicate the dental procedure leading to increased pain perception and lack of patient compliance.1,3,4 In a dental office, patients are continuously exposed to the noises of dental drills, sharp metallic instruments, disturbing rubber dams, and associated suffocation fear.Huh et al., in 2015, reported that about 51% of patients preferred to undergo root canal procedures under sedation making it more acceptable to patients.5 However, sedation has its own risks and benefits.In sedation, the amount of drug reaching the central nervous system is inconsistent because of the variability in absorption.Brainwaves are repeated and rhythmic oscillating electrical voltages in the brain detected using electroencephalography (EEG).The EEG waves are classified into four types depending on the frequencies delta (<3.5 Hz), theta (4-7.5 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), and beta (>13 Hz).6 Alpha rhythm is characterized by a frequency of 8-13 Hz over the posterior part of the head particularly the occipital 1,3,