Intramuscular injection of dexamethasone for the control of pain,swelling, and trismus after third molar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review aimed to answer the following PICO question: Does the intramuscular injection of dexamethasone result in less pain, swelling, and trismus after mandibular third molar removal when compared to other routes of administration or a control group (saline solution injection or no treatment)? An electronic search was conducted in Virtual Health Library, PubMed, and Web of Science, through March 2018. Eligibility criteria included clinical trials. The search strategy resulted in 331 studies. Following the selection process, 15 articles were included in the systematic review; eight of these were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the studies had an unclear risk of bias (Cochrane Handbook assessment). Pain (mean difference (MD) ?1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) ?1.99 to ?1.16) and oedema (MD ?1.76, 95% CI ?2.38 to ?1.14) were lower in the intramuscular dexamethasone group when compared to the control group. When compared to the submucosal route, the intramuscular route was more effective only for pain on the third postoperative day (MD ?0.79, 95% CI ?1.38 to ?0.20). The results suggest that the intramuscular injection of dexamethasone may be an alternative route of administration, since it is effective at reducing pain and oedema when compared to non-steroidal treatment and has similar results to the submucosal route.     

Acupuncture on anxiety and inflammatory events following surgery of mandibular third molars: a split-mouth,randomized, triple-blind clinical trial

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and placebo acupuncture on the control of pain, oedema, and trismus following the extraction of third molars and on the control of preoperative anxiety. Sixteen patients (mean age 22.5 ± 3.45 years) each underwent four acupuncture sessions, one prior to each surgery and the others at 24, 48, and 72 hours after each surgery (left and right tooth). Oedema was determined using measurements of the face and trismus was determined by maximum mouth opening at baseline and at 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days following surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated by the patients using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 24, 48, and 72 hours following surgery. Anxiety was evaluated using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and a VAS at baseline and before and after acupuncture prior to surgery. The statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. Acupuncture showed a better performance in the control of oedema at 48 hours (P = 0.026), 72 hours (P = 0.046), and 7 days (P = 0.040) when compared to placebo. There was no statistically significant difference between the acupuncture and placebo groups in the control of pain, trismus, or anxiety.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of celecoxib and ibuprofen on postoperative pain,swelling, and mouth opening after surgical removal of impacted third molars: a randomized,controlled clinical trial

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of celecoxib and ibuprofen in reducing postoperative sequelae following the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Ninety-eight subjects who needed surgical extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar were selected for the study. All subjects were randomly allocated to receive one of the following treatments twice a day for 5 days after surgery: placebo (n = 32), ibuprofen (n = 33), or celecoxib (n = 33). The primary outcome chosen was postoperative pain, which was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score recorded by each patient. The secondary outcomes chosen were changes in postoperative swelling and maximum mouth opening values compared to preoperative ones. Compared to placebo, treatment with celecoxib and ibuprofen resulted in improvements in the primary outcome. Furthermore, when compared to the other groups, patients in the celecoxib group showed a significant reduction in postoperative pain scores at 6 h (P < 0.001), 12 h (P = 0.011), and 24 h (P = 0.041) after surgery. Regarding swelling and maximum mouth opening values, there were no significant differences between the groups at each follow-up session. This study demonstrated that treatment with celecoxib decreased the incidence and severity of postoperative pain following third molar surgery compared to ibuprofen and placebo.     

Effectiveness of nicotine patch for the control of pain,oedema, and trismus following third molar surgery: a randomized clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nicotine patch for the control of pain, oedema, and trismus following lower third molar surgery. A prospective, randomized, triple-blind, split-mouth trial was performed involving 20 patients who underwent two surgical procedures at different times. A patch containing 14 mg nicotine was used in the experimental group, whereas a patch without nicotine (placebo) was used in the control group. The nicotine patch was effective at controlling pain after 4 hours and 8 hours (P =  0.023 and P =  0.005, respectively). The nicotine patch also had a significant effect on the control of oedema at 24 hours (P =  0.002), 48 hours (P =  0.001), and 72 hours (P =  0.005) following the intervention. Postoperative mouth opening was significantly greater among the patients who received the nicotine patch after 72 hours and 7 days. The number of rescue analgesics required was lower (P =  0.026) and the level of satisfaction was significantly higher (P =  0.008) when the patch was used, although higher levels of nausea were found in the nicotine group (P =  0.031 at 30 minutes, P =  0.008 at 4 hours). The nicotine patch was effective at controlling pain, oedema, and trismus following third molar surgery.     

Effects of ozone therapy on pain,swelling, and trismus following third molar surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic ozone application in the management of pain, swelling, and trismus associated with the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Sixty consecutive patients with asymptomatic bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were recruited into the study. Randomly, by use of envelops, the molar on one side was extracted and ozone therapy was given (study side); the molar on the other side was extracted 2 weeks later and sham ozone therapy was given (negative control side). The mean age of the 60 patients was 22.6 ± 2.3 years (range 18–25 years). No differences were found between the two sides for mouth opening or swelling. The degree of pain and the number of analgesic tablets taken was significantly lower for the study side. This study showed ozone therapy to have a positive effect on OHIP-14 questionnaire results.     

Submucosal injection of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone for the control of postoperative sequelae after third molar surgery: randomized controlled trial

Pain, swelling, and trismus are known sequelae of third molar surgery that can significantly affect the individual’s quality of life (QOL). These should be minimized to improve QOL. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the preoperative submucosal administration of equivalent doses of two commonly used steroids on these postoperative sequelae. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted involving 60 subjects requiring the removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Extraction cases with a similar difficulty index were included. The participants were allocated randomly to three groups: the placebo group received normal saline injection (control), while the 8 mg dexamethasone group and 40 mg methylprednisolone group received submucosal injections of these steroids preoperatively. Each participant was assessed for postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus, along with a subjective assessment of QOL through a structured questionnaire. The participants administered dexamethasone showed significant reductions in pain and trismus compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Submucosal injection of dexamethasone was found to be superior to methylprednisolone only in terms of the reduction in swelling. QOL was minimally affected in patients administered dexamethasone as compared to methylprednisolone and control subjects. The preoperative submucosal use of steroids can be considered an effective, safe, and simple therapeutic strategy to reduce swelling, pain, and trismus after the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars.     

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid spray on swelling,pain, and trismus after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars

The aim of this study was compare the efficacies of two oral sprays in reducing swelling, pain, and trismus after the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. This prospective double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical trial included 34 patients with bilateral symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars of similar surgical difficulty. Hyaluronic acid or benzydamine hydrochloride spray was applied (two pumps) to the extraction area, three times daily for 7 days. Swelling was evaluated using a tape measure method, pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and trismus by measuring the maximum inter-incisal opening. Assessments were made on the day of surgery and on days 2 and 7 after surgery. Statistically significant differences were detected for the swelling and trismus values between the two treatment groups on the second postoperative day (P = 0.002 and P = 0.03, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. The administration of hyaluronic acid spray was more effective than benzydamine hydrochloride spray in reducing swelling and trismus. Although no evidence of a reduction in pain levels was detected, hyaluronic acid appears to offer a beneficial effect in the management of swelling and trismus during the immediate postoperative period following impacted third molar surgery.     

Effect of submucosal dexamethasone injections in the prevention of postoperative pain,trismus, and oedema associated with mandibular third molar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether there are clinically effective reductions in postoperative pain, oedema, and trismus following submucosal dexamethasone administration during impacted mandibular third molar surgery. An electronic database search was conducted up to and including June 2018. Randomized and quasi-randomized trials assessing the effects of submucosal dexamethasone in adult patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery were included. The mean differences or standardized mean differences were extracted and pooled using the fixed-effects or random-effects model. Seventeen trials were included and independently assessed for risk of bias. There was low quality evidence that submucosal dexamethasone reduces early postoperative pain, early and late postoperative trismus, and late postoperative oedema after mandibular third molar extraction. Moderate quality evidence was found for the reduction of late postoperative pain and early postoperative oedema. The greatest clinical effect of submucosal dexamethasone injection during impacted mandibular third molar surgery was a reduction of early postoperative pain (number needed to treat (NNT) = 4) and early postoperative oedema (NNT = 5). The reduction in trismus was not clinically significant (<5 mm). Further research focusing on strengthening the quality of evidence, investigating potential harms and a definitive protocol for submucosal administration during mandibular third molar surgery is required.     

Effect of the route of administration of methylprednisolone on oedema and trismus in impacted lower third molar surgery

Due to their anatomical position, the surgical removal of impacted third molars results in oedema, pain, and trismus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of supraperiosteal injection of methylprednisolone compared with an oral tablet form and intravenous (i.v.) injection in the prevention of postoperative pain and oedema associated with inflammation. This randomized, prospective, and controlled study included 44 patients. The patients were randomly divided into four groups: group 1 (control; no steroids), group 2 (local injection), group 3 (oral tablets), and group 4 (i.v. injection). On days 2 and 7 following surgery, linear oedema was determined using facial landmarks, and maximal mouth opening was measured. Postoperative mouth opening and swelling were evaluated for each route of methylprednisolone administration and compared. The female (59%) to male (41%) ratio was 1.44; the mean age of the patients was 29.6 years. The level of significance was set at P < 0.01 for mouth opening and P < 0.05 for oedema. With regard to trismus, all three routes of administration demonstrated better efficacy in comparison to the control. While oral administration and i.v. injection of methylprednisolone achieved similar results, masseter injection provided better results in reducing oedema and trismus when compared to the control following lower third molar surgery.     

Therapeutic efficacy of cryotherapy on facial swelling,pain, trismus and quality of life after surgical removal of mandibular third molars: A systematic review

The objective was to test the hypothesis of no difference in facial swelling, pain, trismus and immediate quality of life after surgical removal of mandibular third molars, with or without post‐operative cryotherapy. A MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE database and Cochrane library search in combination with a hand search of relevant journals were conducted by including human randomised controlled trials published in English until 17 July 2018. The search identified 37 titles. Six studies with low or unclear risk of bias fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Intermittent cryotherapy for 30 minutes during the first post‐operative days significantly diminished facial swelling, pain and trismus compared with no cryotherapy. Patient's satisfaction and perception of recovery were significantly increased with cryotherapy. Therapeutic efficacy of intermittent cryotherapy on post‐operative facial swelling, pain and trismus seems to be improved compared with continuous cryotherapy. Considerable variations in study design, diversity of used evaluation methods, outcome measures and various methodological confounding factors posed serious restrictions to review the literature in a quantitative systematic manner. Thus, conclusions drawn from the results of this systematic review should be interpreted with caution. Further well‐designed randomised controlled trials including standardised protocol, larger patient sample, blinded outcome assessors, patient‐reported outcome measures and three‐dimensional volumetric analysis of facial swelling are required before evidence‐based recommendations can be provided.     

臭氧油在下颌阻生第三磨牙拔除术后应用效果研究

目的    观察下颌阻生第三磨牙拔除术后局部涂抹臭氧油的临床效果。方法    选取2019年1-9月就诊于南京大学医学院附属口腔医院并拟拔除双侧下颌阻生第三磨牙患者45例,共计患牙90颗。采用随机自身对照的方法,将所有患牙分为臭氧油组和对照组。所有患者均采用微创牙拔除术,术后连续3 d,臭氧油组在手术创面及创面周围涂抹臭氧油,对照组给予抗生素口服。于术后1、3、7 d评估患者疼痛、肿胀、张口受限程度等舒适度相关指标。结果   术后1、3、7 d,臭氧油组患者的疼痛及肿胀程度明显低于对照组,臭氧油组患者的张口度明显优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（均P < 0.05）。结论    局部涂抹臭氧油能够有效缓解下颌阻生第三磨牙拔除术后的疼痛、肿胀和张口受限程度。     

Beneficial effect of methylprednisolone after mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled split-mouth trial

Objectives

Third molar (M3) removal is the model most frequently used for pain trials in oral surgery. Corticosteroids are frequently administered to reduce trismus and swelling after dentoalveolar surgical procedures. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of a single, preoperative oral application of methylprednisolone on postoperative trismus, pain intensity, and the subjective need for analgesic medication after surgical removal of impacted mandibular M3 (LM3).

Materials and methods

Sixteen healthy patients requiring similar bilateral surgical LM3 removal were included in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in a split-mouth design. At random, each patient received either weight-dependent methylprednisolone (40–80 mg) or a placebo orally 1 h prior to surgery. In each case, the right and left LM3 were treated in independent visits. Trismus, swelling, pain measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale, and the postoperative demand of analgesics were assessed.

Results

Statistical analysis indicates a significant reduction of trismus, swelling, pain intensity, and patient-controlled intake of analgesics during the whole postsurgical period of investigation (first to seventh day).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that a single preoperative weight-dependent administration of methylprednisolone is a safe and effective concept for diminishing postoperative discomfort, pain intensity, and the total intake of analgesics after wisdom tooth extractions.

Clinical relevance

In case of missing contraindications, the preoperative administration of methylprednisolone is recommended, a routine medication for more extended procedures in oral surgery.     

Efficacy of corticosteroids versus placebo in impacted third molar surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The aim of this systematic review was to identify randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of corticosteroids in the control of pain, oedema, and trismus following third molar surgery, and to analyse the effects of the type of drug administered and the time and route of drug administration on the outcomes of interest. Searches were performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. This review was structured according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The search identified 1223 studies. After assessing eligibility based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 studies were selected for the qualitative analysis (a total of 730 patients aged 15–45 years). Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis, which was performed using Review Manager software. The corticosteroids were effective in controlling pain (P = 0.002; mean difference ?17.38, 95% confidence interval ?24.81 to ?9.95) and trismus (P < 0.00001; mean difference 6.10, 95% confidence interval 3.42 to 8.77). With the exception of the submucosal route, the route of administration did not appear to affect the outcomes. The administration of a corticosteroid in the preoperative phase was superior to its use in the postoperative phase for the control of trismus.     

Combining paracetamol with a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor for acute pain relief after third molar surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Severe pain after third molar surgery is often encountered and more effective treatment regimes are warranted. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the combination of paracetamol and rofecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, improves analgesic effects following third molar surgery compared with rofecoxib alone. Paracetamol alone was also evaluated. Altogether 120 patients with moderate to severe pain after third molar surgery were given a single postoperative dose of one of the following treatments: rofecoxib + paracetamol; rofecoxib alone; paracetamol alone; or placebo. Patients assessed level of pain and pain relief every 30 min for 8 h after surgery, and made a global evaluation of the medication 4 and 8 h after surgery. Paracetamol and rofecoxib combined improved the analgesic effect compared with rofecoxib alone for the first 1.5 h. Rofecoxib alone and the combination of paracetamol and rofecoxib had a significantly better analgesic effect than paracetamol alone from 3 h onwards. The early onset of pain relief for the combination of paracetamol and rofecoxib, compared with rofecoxib alone, could be of great importance when treating acute pain after third molar surgery. After data collection for this study, rofecoxib was withdrawn from the market as a result of reported fatal cardiovascular events. Whether this is relevant for short-term use is unknown, but it has to be considered before rofecoxib may be used for pain relief following third molar surgery.     

Randomized double-blind clinical trial evaluation of bone healing after third molar surgery with the use of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in bone healing after mandibular third molar extraction. In this prospective, double-blind, split-mouth study, 34 extractions were performed. On one side, the socket was sutured primarily (control side); on the other side, L-PRF was inserted before suturing. The patients were assessed for postoperative bone regeneration, pain and soft tissue healing. The primary outcome was bone regeneration, which was performed through tomographic evaluation in the immediate postoperative period and 3 months after the procedure. The ITK-SNAP software was used for image evaluation by the intensity of grey of each voxel. Pain was analysed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and soft tissue healing was analysed both based on the modified healing index of Landry et al., and by comparing pre- and postoperative periodontal probing at the distal of the lower second molar. The application of L-PRF improved bone density, which was higher in test group (p = 0.007). There was no statistical difference related to pain or soft tissue between the groups (p > 0.05). There was evidence for improved bone healing in response to L-PRF. However, to better understand the effect of L-PRF more clinical trials with larger samples are necessary.     

Unresolving trismus following third molar surgery: Report of a case of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva with review of literature

Background: Trismus is a problem commonly encountered by the dental practitioner. It has a number of potential causes, and its treatment will depend on the cause. However, there are very few reports of trismus due to fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) following third molar surgery.

Clinical Presentation: FOP is a rare human genetic disorder with characteristic clinical features like progressive formation of extraskeletal bone or heterotopic ossification and congenital malformation of the great toes.

Clinical Significance: It is troublesome to the maxillofacial surgeon, that minimal manipulation and minor surgery can induce bone formation in soft tissues of the head and neck region, particularly the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint. This paper presents a case of severe trismus following third molar extraction, intractable by routine treatment methods, which was later diagnosed as FOP.     

去端肽胶原修复下颌第三磨牙拔除后邻牙远中骨缺损的自身对照研究

目的:评价去端肽胶原对下颌第三磨牙拔除后邻牙远中骨缺损再生的临床效果.方法:选择2019年1月—2019年7月就诊于山西医科大学口腔医院颌面外科的双侧下颌第三磨牙均为水平中位阻生的患者32例,采用第二磨牙颊侧龈沟内结合远中颊侧切口、不去骨的方法拔除双侧下颌第三磨牙后,随机选择一侧作为实验组,拔牙窝植入去端肽胶原;另一侧...     

Oral dexamethasone decreases postoperative pain,swelling, and trismus more than diclofenac following third molar removal: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory potential of two pharmacotherapy protocols based on the parameters of pain, trismus, and swelling, after extraction of third molars.

Methods

Thirty patients selected with symmetrical impaction of third molars were submitted to surgical procedures in both sides in different times. For one group, dexamethasone was used for 3 days, and for another group diclofenac sodium was also used for the same period. The main variables analyzed were the visual analogue pain scale (VAS), but others were also analyzed such as swelling and trismus, which were submitted to statistical analysis.

Results

The results had no difference regarding the length of procedures (p = 0.986) and the pain in the immediate and 4-h postoperative period (p = 0.723 and 0.541). The rescue analgesic consumption was higher (p < 0.05) when using the protocol with diclofenac sodium. The variables mouth opening (p < 0.05) and swelling (p < 0.05) were significantly better when using the protocol with dexamethasone in the postoperative period.

Conclusions

Medical protocol with the use of dexamethasone in the postoperative period was more effective in controlling pain, trismus, and swelling, after the extraction of third molars, when compared to diclofenac sodium.

     

Effect of the intra-alveolar administration of dexamethasone on swelling,trismus, and pain after impacted lower third molar extraction: a randomized,double-blind clinical trial

Background To evaluate the efficacy of intra-alveolar administration of dexamethasone 4 mg in the control of edema, trismus, and pain resulting from the extraction of impacted lower third molars and the drug permeability through the oral mucosa by in silico prediction.Material and Methods The randomized, double-blind, split-mouth clinical trial included patients who had both impacted lower third molars in equivalent positions. Hemiarches were divided into control side when dexamethasone was administered orally and experimental side when dexamethasone was administered using the intra-alveolar route. Patients were evaluated considering edema, trismus, and pain. The permeability of dexamethasone through the oral mucosa was assessed by in silico prediction. Student’s t-test was selected for comparative analysis of edema and trismus, and the chi-square test analyzed the distribution of postoperative pain between the sides.Results There were no significant differences between the routes of administration in measuring symptoms between the pre and postoperative times (p>0.05). In silico prediction suggested that dexamethasone molecular characteristics facilitate intra-alveolar administration.Conclusions Intra-alveolar administration had similar efficacy to oral administration in controlling symptoms of post-surgical inflammation of impacted lower third molars. Key words:Molar, third, tooth, impacted, oral surgical procedures, dexamethasone.     

Cryotherapy in reducing pain,trismus, and facial swelling after third-molar surgery: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Background

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy in reducing pain, trismus, and facial swelling in patients undergoing third-molar surgery.