Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the influence ofdexamethasone (Decadron®) administered aspreoperative single dose (8 mg) on the electricalactivity of the masticatory muscles, superficialmasseter and anterior temporal, through electromyographic analysis after lower third molarextraction. Twenty patients who required surgicaltreatment for extraction of these teeth were selected,treated and evaluated. Patients were randomlyassigned to one of the following groups: experimentalgroup that received a single dose of dexamethasone8 mg 1 h before the procedure, or control groupthat underwent extraction without the use ofmedication. Ag/AgCl electrodes were used to recordthe electrical muscle activity before the procedure,after anesthesia, after root section, immediatepostoperative and 7, 15 and 30 days postoperatively.EMG data collected were analyzed by analysis ofvariance and Tukey’s test with a significance level of5% for intra and intergroup comparisons. The resultsshowed no statistically significant differences in thecomparisons within and between groups (p > 0.05).Based on these findings, it can be concluded that thethird molar extraction and the use of dexamethasoneas a preoperative single dose may not interfere in themuscle electrical activity.KeywordsAnti-inflammatory drug; Tooth Avulsion; Dental extraction; Electromyography; Masticatory muscles.
Highlights
The extraction of third molars due to inclusion and impaction is one of the most performed procedures in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology and frequently it is associated with either transitory or permanent postoperative morbidity
The most frequent is the alteration of the activity of masticatory muscles, so-called trismus, which is the mild-to-moderate difficulty in opening and closing the mouth because of a muscle contracture localized in the masticatory muscles
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of single-dose dexamethasone on the activity of masticatory muscles at 7, 15 and 30 postoperative days following mandibular third molar extractions through electromyography analysis in order to contribute with the diagnosis of the stomatognathic system dysfunctions after long surgical procedures
Summary
The extraction of third molars due to inclusion and impaction is one of the most performed procedures in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology and frequently it is associated with either transitory or permanent postoperative morbidity. Among its most common accidents and complications are: hemorrhages, alveolitis, pain, swelling, trismus, damaging to alveolar inferior nerve, infections inside fascial spaces and damaging to the surrounding teeth. The most frequent is the alteration of the activity of masticatory muscles, so-called trismus, which is the mild-to-moderate difficulty in opening and closing the mouth because of a muscle contracture localized in the masticatory muscles. The trismus gradually decreases to cessation and the full capacity of opening the mouth should be reestablished from 10 to 14 post-surgery days [1,2]. Extensive facial swelling retards the repairing of the surgical wound and accounts for the postoperative pain [3]
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