Memory of dental pain induced by tooth restoration

The aims of the study were to assess the memory of dental pain induced by tooth restoration and to investigate the factors that influence the memory of pain. Two dimensions of pain, i.e., pain intensity and pain unpleasantness, were measured twice: immediately after dental treatment and at 6 or 12 weeks follow up. Regardless of the length of the recall delay, mean pain was recalled accurately, but mean pain unpleasantness was underestimated. However, underestimation of pain intensity and unpleasantness at the follow-up was observed only in the subjects who reported more intense and unpleasant pain immediately after dental treatment. Moreover, those who underestimated pain intensity and/or unpleasantness had higher scores on dental anxiety and reported more state anxiety and less positive affect before dental treatment