[Glucocorticoids in dental surgery and maxillofacial surgery]

Indications for the use of glucocorticoids in surgical stomatology are: 1. emergencies, 2. bullous and allergic diseases of the oral mucosa and therapy-resistant cases of chronic recurrent aphthae, erosive lichen planus and sialoses (for systemic therapy), 3. therapy-resistant temporomandibular complaints and hyperplastic tissue responses and, in combination with an antibiotic, diseases of the maxillary sinus (for local therapy). Preliminary clinical examination, case controls at short intervals, and circadian or alternating prescription will help to reduce undesirable side-effects. In patients receiving sustained glucocorticoid therapy, dental-surgical procedures require special consideration of the change in reactivity.