SHOULD ORAL DEXAMETHASONE BE TAKEN PRIOR TO MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR SURGERIES?

In my practice, we anesthetize almost all of our third molar surgery (wisdom tooth surgery) patients and we also give a steroid – typically IV dexamethasone – to those patients when indicated. The use of oral dexamethasone for these patients would not be indicated as a premedication as we want the patient to be fasting (NPO) prior to surgery. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 79: 981-988, 2021).

I agree with the authors of the indicated article that the use of an oral steroid as a premedication would be useful in reducing postoperative pain and swelling. We also see improved results with preoperative usage of anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDS.

The bottom line is my preference is to have you most comfortable during your third molar surgery, so let me give you intravenous anesthesia and as part of that anesthesia I will give you an intravenous steroid if indicated for a better outcome.

 

Richard M. Wagner DDS