title: Effect of pretreatment dexamethasone on postendodontic pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the use of a preoperative single oral dose of dexamethasone for the prevention and control of postendodontic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil. mpochapski@gmail.com
authors.forename: Márcia Thaís
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pochapski
authors.forename: Fábio André
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Eduardo Dias
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: Gilson Blitzkow
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Sydney
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone