INTRODUCTION: Surgical extraction of third molar irrespective of any technique results in postoperative pain, swelling of face and limited mouth opening. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the effects of Dexamethasone (4mg) administered prior to surgery.MATERIALS AND METHOD: A randomized control trial was conducted which included a total of fifty patients. All the patients were randomly put in two groups of twenty five each. Group I patients underwent transalveolar extraction of third molar under local anesthesia and standard oral drug regime. Group II patients received an additional submucosal injection of dexamethasone 4 mg, thirty minutes prior administration of local anaesthesia. Pain, swelling and mouth opening was recorded on second, seventh and tenth post-operative days after surgery.RESULTS: The difference in pain scores on second post-operative day between two groups were found statistically non-significant. However, there was significant reduction in pain scores on seventh and tenth day in both groups. Mouth opening showed statistically significant difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION: The observations of the present study provide a fundamental basis for the use of corticosteroids such as dexamethasone sodium phosphate in the form of submucosal administration in lower than usual doses to decrease postoperative inflammation when compare to other routes of drug administration.

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