K. BoonsirisethB. KlongnoiN. SirintawatC. SaengsirinavinN. WongsirichatMahidol University2018-06-112018-06-112012-02-01International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Vol.41, No.2 (2012), 244-24713990020090150272-s2.0-84857449152https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/14086The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intramuscular (IM) injection and consumption of 8 mg dexamethasone in patients after lower third molar (LTM) surgery. 20 healthy Thai patients, average age 20 years, with bilateral LTM removal were recruited for this study, a double blinded, paired sample clinical trial. The washout period was 1 month after the first operation. Clinical assessment of facial swelling, pain and maximum mouth opening were measured before and after operation for 7 days. No significant difference was found in facial swelling between IM injection and consumption of 8 mg dexamethasone after LTM surgery (paired t test P > 0.05). The visual analogue scale scores for pain assessment showed no significant difference between IM injection and consumption of dexamethasone (paired t test P > 0.05). The results conclude that IM injection or consumption of dexamethasone after LTM surgery can be used to control facial swelling, pain and trismus. © 2011 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Mahidol UniversityDentistryMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.ijom.2011.12.011