Keywords
Oral Surgery
Third Molar
How to Cite
Abstract
Third molar extraction is a common surgical procedure indicated for pericoronitis, extensive caries, root resorption, and the presence of cysts or tumors. Postoperative complications may include pain, swelling, and trismus, with corticosteroids used to reduce these effects by early inhibition of the inflammatory cascade. Administration can be preoperative (preemptive) or postoperative, with distinct objectives: to prevent or mitigate already established inflammation. The aim of this integrative review was to compare the efficacy of corticosteroids at these two time points. The search included articles from 2017 to 2025 in PubMed, Scielo, BVS, Cochrane, and Scirus databases, using the keywords corticosteroid, oral surgery, corticosteroid, and third molar. Twelve studieswere selected, including clinical trials, reviews, and meta-analyses, ensuring relevance and methodological quality. Results indicate that preemptive administration, particularly of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, is more effective in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus during the first 24–72 hours, as well as decreasing the need for additional analgesics. Postoperative use is also effective but targets already established symptoms. In healthy patients, the risk of adverse events is low, while in individuals with comorbidities, the timing and type of corticosteroid should be individualized. It is concluded that corticosteroids are effective and safe for controlling post-extraction complications, with preemptive administration recommended to optimize patient comfort and recovery.
References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Juliana Maria Rodrigues dos Santos , Mayra Santos Girão, Elesbão Ferreira Viana Júnior, Erik Neiva Ribeiro de Carvalho Reis , Matheus Araújo Brito Santos Lopes , Márcia Socorro da Costa Borba
