For the management of symptoms of post-surgical inflammation of impacted lower third molars, intra-alveolar administration of 4 mg dexamethasone illustrated comparable efficacy when compared to oral administration, according to the findings of a randomized, split-mouth, double-blind, clinical trial.

Investigators undertook this study to determine effectiveness of dexamethasone administration by two different routes to alleviate edema, trismus, and pain resulting from extraction of impacted lower third molars. Using in silico prediction, drug permeability through the oral mucosa was evaluated.

The study incorporated participants with the impacted lower third molars scheduled to undergo dental extraction. The hemiarches were segregated into either the control side or the experimental side. One hour before surgery, 4 mg dexamethasone was orally given utilizing a powder formulation contained in capsules on the control side. On the experimental side, 4 mg dexamethasone utilizing the same powder formulation, was given intraoperatively by the intra-alveolar route.

Evaluation of pain, edema, and trismus was done. In silico prediction was used to assess dexamethasone's permeability through the oral mucosa. For comparative evaluation of trismus and edema, the student's t-test was carried out. For analyzing the distribution of postoperative pain between both sides, the chi-square test was utilized.

No profound differences were noted between the administration routes in estimating symptoms between the pre and postoperative times. According to in silico prediction, dexamethasone molecular characteristics improve intra-alveolar administration. Hence, both the administration routes have comparable effectiveness to control symptoms of post-surgical inflammation resulting from dental extraction.