DEXAMETHASONE INJECTION IN SURGERY OF LOWER THIRD MOLARS: A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Aim: the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two different dosages of dexamethasone, i.e. 2 and 4 mg injected submucosally to reduce postoperative discomfort after mandibular third molar surgery. Methods: the study was conducted on 150 patients subjected to surgical removal of an impacted third molar. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: G1 (n = 50) received 4 mg/1 ml dexamethasone submucosally; G2 (n = 50) received 2 mg/0,5 ml dexamethasone submucosally; G3 (n = 50) received saline submucosally. The drug was administered after wound closure through silk sutures. Pain, swelling, trismus, analgesic consumption and operation time were comparatively evaluated at three different time point: T0 before surgery, T1 on 3rd and T2 on 7th day after surgery. The sutures were removed on the 7th day. Results: G2 showed statistically significant reduction in swelling considering male gender. The differences between the time points where statistically significant in G2 under 25 years old when trismus was analyzed. Difference between G2 and G3 was statistically significant at T1 when compared in painkillers assumption. Conclusion: it can be concluded that better post-operative values were obtained with 2 mg dexamethasone infiltration in order to reduce trismus in subjects under 25 years old. The statistical analysis showed positive effects in female patients with 4 mg dose of dexamethasone in the aperture evaluation and oedema.