Comparative Clinical Study between Two Different Dosages of Dexamethasone on Swelling and Trismus after Extraction of Mandibular Third Molars

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two differents concentrations (4 and 8mg) of the dexamethasone on swelling and trismus after extraction of mandibular third molars. Methods: Twenty adult patients were selected, both sex, with ages varying between 15 and 30 years (average 18.5 years), with no local and systemic problems, and indicated extraction presenting similar teeth positions without simptoms. They were given drugs one hour before the first and second surgery, with different concentrations, at each pacient. The choice of the first side to operate and the amount of concentration to use was made randomly and double-blindly. The swelling were evaluated through facial reference points variation, and trismus was analyzed through measurement of the incisal distance. These assessments were obtained one hour before and 24h and 48h after surgery. Results: Based on statistic analysis (pared t-student(p<0,05) and Wilcoxon tests), a significative difference between the two dosages administrations is verified for the majority of the facial measurements of the swelling and trismus in the 24h and 48h evaluations. 8mg of dexamethasone promoted a greater reduction of the swelling and trismus than 4mg of dexamethasone, In the majority of the measurements at the same both time. Conclusion: Taking theses results into account, we can conclude that the administration of 8mg of the dexamethasone was more effective than 4mg of the dexamethasone to reduce swelling and trismus in the 24h and 48h evaluation.