Effect of Local Dexamethasone on Pain, Swelling, and Trismus After Extraction of Impacted Lower Third Molar

Background and Objectives: This study concluded that postoperative extraction of impacted lower third molars is often followed by complications such as pain, swelling, or limited jaw opening. Aim of Study: This study aimed to assess whether intramuscular dexamethasone administration in or through the masseter muscle is an effective measure in alleviating postoperative pain, swelling, or limited jaw opening that occurs after lower third molar extraction. Patient and Method: In total, 20 patients underwent a split mouth randomized surgical removal of impacted lower third molar teeth., distributed on two groups, each group presented with 10 patients, as follows: Group A: (study group) patients received local dexamethasone Group B: (control group) patients did not receive any drug intraoperatively. Results: 20 individuals had a total of 40 affected lower third molars extracted, split mouth design, for 4 males and 16 females, A statistically significant difference was detected between groups in pain scoring during third day assessment according to sex distribution, but for swelling and maximum mouth opening, in seventh day assessment there were no differences (P = 0.034, by independent t-test Conclusion: This study found that local dexamethasone injection after impacted lower third molar removal, leads to significant reduction in postoperative pain, swelling, and limited mouth opening. Keywords: Impaction, trismus, swelling, lower third molar, dexamethasone