title: Corticosteroids decrease pain, swelling and trismus.
abstract: METHODS
  PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL. Limited to English language.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised control trials comparing preoperative steroids (in any formulation, dose or route) with placebo or no treatment in patients of any age, having extraction of one or more impacted third molars (under local or general anaesthesia or with intravenous sedation).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two authors reviewed titles and abstracts of all articles to select those that met the inclusion criteria. The studies were classified by active principles, doses and treatment administration route. No meta-analysis was conducted and a tabular descriptive summary was presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 28 studies (one meta-analysis and 27 randomised control trials) included in the descriptive account and from which conclusions were drawn.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of corticosteroids in third molar extractions reduces the degree of trismus and inflammation. Parenteral administration seems to be more effective than oral administration as does taking the corticosteroids before rather than after surgery. Further comparative studies using different corticosteroids, doses and administration routes are needed to establish the most effective regime for reducing pain, trismus and inflammation after extraction of third molars.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Box 357134 Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: O Ross
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Beirne
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014081:Tooth Extraction
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones