The impact of dexamethason on postoperative morbidity after surgical extraction of impacted third molars

Introduction: Surgical removal of impacted third molars is one of the most common interventions in oral surgery, that involves deliberate trauma to the bone and soft tissues, leading to an inflammatory reaction. In these patients, pain, swelling and trismus often occur postoperatively as routine sequelae. Symptoms of inflammation can be prevented by careful and atraumatic workup and by anti-inflammatory drugs. This group of medicaments includes corticosteroids, which today are widely used to reduce postoperative morbidity after operative extractions of impacted teeth.
Objective: The aim of this presentation is to determine the impact of dexamethasone depending on the method of application on postoperative morbidity after surgical extraction of impacted third molars.
Materials and methods: In a group of 60 patients, divided into three groups, in one group dexamethasone was applied submucosally, in the other group dexamethasone was applied intramuscularly and the third group was a control group. Postoperatively, swelling, pain and trismus were monitored as clinical parameters in these patients.
Results: Patients in whom dexamethasone was applied submucosally showed statistical significance compared to the other two groups.
Conclusion: Dexamethasone significantly reduces postoperative morbidity, the values of pain, swelling and trismus.
Key words: Dexamethasone, swelling, trismus, pain