Ketorolac and Dexamethasone Injection Comparison on Postoperative-Pain in Impacted Mandibular Third Molars Surgery in Pterygomandibular Space: A Randomized Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the effects of ketorolac and dexamethasone on postoperative pain in patients who underwent impacted mandibular third molars surgery. Material and Methods: A double-anonymized clinical trial study involving 60 patients with impacted third molars. The samples were randomly divided into two groups by block randomization method: DG: Dexamethasone (8 mg) and KG: Ketorolac (30 mg). The severity of pain was assessed using the visual analog scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale immediately and during the first to seventh days after the surgery. Results: Among the participants, 65% were female, and the mean age was 40.8 years. The study groups did not show a significant difference in the frequency of the two sexes or mean age (p=0.529 and p=0.214). The average pain scores were significantly greater in the DG compared to the KG during the first week (p<0.001). Conclusion: Injection of dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space can help to decrease the postoperative pain following lower third molar surgery.