title: Effect of the local administration of betamethasone on pain, swelling and trismus after impacted lower third molar extraction. A randomized, triple blinded, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the local postoperative administration of a single 12-mg dose of betamethasone after the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  A split-mouth, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 25 patients requiring the surgical removal of symmetrical lower third molars was performed. In the experimental side, a 12-mg dose of betamethasone was administered submucosally after the surgical procedure, while in the control side a placebo (sterile saline solution) was injected in the same area. To assess postoperative pain, visual analogue scales and the consumption of rescue analgesic were used. The facial swelling and trismus were evaluated by measuring facial reference distances and maximum mouth opening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two study groups regarding postoperative pain, facial swelling and trismus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The injection of a single dose of betamethasone does not seem to reduce pain, facial swelling and trismus after impacted lower third molar removal when compared to placebo.
authors.affiliation: Facultat d'Odontologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Campus de Bellvitge, Pavelló de Govern 2a planta, Despatx 2.9, 08907 - L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain, rui@ruibf.com.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pié-Sánchez
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valmaseda-Castellón
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gay-Escoda
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D014313:Trismus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001623:Betamethasone