Effectiveness of pre-operative oral corticosteroids in reducing pain, trismus and oedema following lower third molar extractions: a systematic review

Aim To determine if a single pre-operative dose of oral corticosteroids would be effective in reducing pain, trismus and oedema following lower third molar surgical extraction. Secondary outcomes interest were post-operative complications such as infections. Methods Searching was conducted using Embase, Medline, DOSS, CINAHL CENTRAL for randomised controlled trials. Four studies which compared to placebo before extractions eligible inclusion. Results All judged at unclear risk bias. tested the efficacy 8 mg dexamethasone 60-90 minutes extractions. While three showed improvement pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores groups, two not statistically significant. One study found no on VAS. difference either or oedema. reported one occurrence alveolar infection group osteitis group. Conclusion there seems an VAS, these results are clinically Post-operative analgesia plays more important role clinically.