Use of Dexamethasone and Local Hypothermia after Third Molars Surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study was to improve the treatment of inflammatory complications by topical application of dexamethasone and hypothermia alone and combined in patients after third molars surgery and determi-nation of the most effective method. Patients were of the age range of 18-30 years. Forty five patients, each of whom required removal of a single impacted mandibular third molar under local anaesthesia, were randomly allocated to 4 groups. The one experimental group were given dexamethasone 4 mg intramuscularly, another group - local hypother¬mia for three sessions a day, the third group was combined application of dexamethasone and hypothermia and the control group had no steroid. The local temperature and condition of blood flow in postoperative area were measured by an examiner preoperatively. at the first day of surgery, at 3, 7 and 10 days postoperatively. Results of thermometric and reografical researches objectively demonstrate that the use of dexametha¬sone and hypothermia had positive affect of the normalization of the local temperature and blood supply of the postoperative tissue area, but the most effective were combined use of these methods of treatment. Dexamethasone 4 mg given intramuscularly and local hypothermia is an effective way of stabilizing the temperature and blood flow of postoperative area after removal of impacted lower third molars. It offers a simple, safe, painless and cost-effective treatment in moderate and severe cases. The most effective of all used methods was the combination of the local intramuscular administration of dexamethasone and application of local hypothermia, which confirms the results of thermometry and rheographic study.