J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  1997 Jul;23(3):535-540.

PREVENTION OF POSTOPERATIVE SWELLING AND PAIN BY DEXAMETHASONE AFTER OPERATIVE REMVOVAL OF IMPACTED THIRD MOLARS WITH BONE REDUCTION

• Choi DH
• Chung HK

Abstract

The purpose of the present placebo-controlled double-blind study was to investigate the preventive effect of 5mg dexamethasone on swelling, trismus, and pain after removal of impacted mandibular third molars with bone reduction. The participants were consisted of 20 healthy individuals(9 male, 11 female) with bilaterally symmetrical impacted mandibular third molars. Each patient served as his own control. Immediately after removal of impacted teeth, either 5mg dexamethasone or normal saline was injected intramuscularly. On the first day, 2nd day, and 7th day after operation, facial swelling, trismus, and pain were evaluated. On the first day, the difference in the volumetric change of facial swelling was 45% (p<0.05) as measured by Holland's nine pointers facebow. The trismus was reduced by 28% (p<0.01) in test froup. Pain assessed with Visualanaloguescale(VAS) was reduced by 33% (p<0.001) by dexamethasone. It can be concluded that sterokd treatment is recommended in third molar surgery when pronounced postoperative swelling, trismus, and pain are expected.

MeSH Terms

Dexamethasone*
Double-Blind Method
Humans
Male
Molar, Third*
Tooth, Impacted
Trismus
Dexamethasone