Effectiveness of dexamethasone injection in the pterygomandibular space before and after lower third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated the effects of dexamethasone injections into the pterygomandibular space and compared them to those of controls; however, the effects of dexamethasone injections before and after lower third molar surgery on postoperative complications have not been studied. This research investigated the postoperative sequelae of dexamethasone injections before and after surgery into the pterygomandibular space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative and postoperative injections of 4 mg of dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space on postoperative pain, facial swelling, and the restriction of mouth opening following lower third molar surgical removal. METHODS: Twenty-seven participants with bilateral symmetrical lower impacted third molars were included in this study. Each participant was randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group A received injections of 1 ml dexamethasone (4 mg/mL) and 1 mL placebo into the pterygomandibular space before and after surgery, respectively. Group B received the same doses of placebo before surgery and dexamethasone after surgery. RESULTS: A significant restriction of mouth opening on the second postoperative day was observed in both groups. Nonetheless, the postoperative restriction of mouth opening, facial swelling, postoperative pain, and analgesic consumption after lower third molar surgical removal were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the time of administration, dexamethasone injections into the pterygomandibular space resulted in satisfactory control of the postoperative sequelae of the mandibular third molar surgical removal.