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Effect of pretreatment dexamethasone on postendodontic pain
Márcia Thaís Pochapski1, Fábio André Santos, Eduardo Dias de Andrade
1Department of Pharmacology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil. mpochapski@gmail.com
Objective:
This study evaluates the use of a preoperative single oral dose of dexamethasone for the prevention and control of postendodontic pain.
Study Design:
Forty-seven patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: placebo and dexamethasone (4 mg). The medications were administered 1 hour before the start of endodontic treatment. Postoperative pain was assessed after 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours.
Results:
Dexamethasone resulted in a statistically significant reduction in postendodontic pain at 4 and 12 hours (P < .05). However, no statistical difference (P > .05) was observed at 24 and 48 hours (Mann-Whitney test). The placebo group exhibited higher rescue medication intake (P < .05; Student t test). No side effects were reported for any of the medications used.
Conclusion:
Preoperative single oral dose of dexamethasone substantially reduced postendodontic pain. Further studies are needed to evaluate the applicability of these findings to other clinical conditions and drug regimens.
