• C E P Alcântara, S G M Falci, F Oliveira-Ferreira, C R R Santos, and M L P Pinheiro.
• Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: cepalcantara@gmail.com.
• Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014 Jan 1; 43 (1): 93-8.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the effect of dexamethasone 8 mg and methylprednisolone 40 mg for the control of pain, swelling, and trismus following the extraction of impacted third molars. Sixteen healthy patients with a mean age of 20.3 (standard deviation 1.25) years received a single oral dose of either drug 1 h prior to each surgical procedure (left and right teeth). At 24, 48, and 72 h and 7 days following surgery, swelling was determined using linear measurements on the face and trismus was determined by maximal mouth opening. Postoperative pain was self-recorded by the patients using a visual analogue scale at 8-h intervals for a period of 72 h. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon, and paired t tests (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone controlled swelling better than methylprednisolone at all postoperative evaluations (P < 0.02) and led to greater mouth opening 48 h after surgery (P = 0.029). No statistically significant difference was found between drugs with regard to pain. In conclusion, pre-emptive dexamethasone 8 mg demonstrated better control of swelling and limited mouth opening in comparison to methylprednisolone 40 mg, with no differences between drugs regarding pain control.Copyright © 2013 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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