Eventuality of Dexamethasone Injected Intra-massetrically on Post Operative Sequel Following the Surgical Extraction of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone given intra-massetrically via intra buccal approach on postoperative sequele after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.

METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients, each of who required surgical extraction of a single impacted mandibular third molar under local anesthesia, were randomly set apart to one of the two groups of ten each. The experimental group received dexamethasone 8 mg injected to the masseter muscle intra buccally and the control group did not receive any steroid. Facial swelling and maximal inter-incisal distance were measured by an independent examiner preoperatively, and at 4th h, on the day of surgery, 2 and 7 postoperative days. Pain was measured from the patient's response to a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS: Patients were of the age range 18-40 years. Dexamethasone group showed significant reduction in swelling and pain compared with the control group at all intervals. Dexamethasone injected into the masseter muscle via intra buccal approach resulted in significantly less trismus than control on day one postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone 8 mg given intra-massetrically through intra buccal approach is an effective way of minimizing swelling, trismus, and pain following surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. It offers a simple, safe, painless, non-invasive and cost-effective treatment.