Compared with 40 mg methylprednisolone, 8 mg dexamethasone exhibited better swelling and trismus control after third molar extraction.

This study was performed to determine the efficacy of methylprednisolone and dexamethasone to reduce postoperative sequelae following third molar extraction.

Utilizing relevant keywords, databases like Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of science were comprehensively explored for randomized controlled trials. With the aid of review manager software, the extracted data were pooled as the mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval.

Overall, 5 randomized controlled trials and 205 impacted molars were incorporated. Swelling regression was statistically significant favoring dexamethasone on the 1st day (MD = 2.18), 2nd day (MD = 3.68), 3rd day (MD = 3.11), and 7th day (MD = 1.25). Furthermore, a profound decrease in trismus was noted favoring dexamethasone on the 2nd day (MD = –4.00) and 7th day (MD = –1.84). In terms of reduction of postoperative pain, no notable differences were noted between methylprednisolone and dexamethasone.

In people undergoing third molar extraction, dexamethasone is associated with comparable postoperative pain relief and improved management of trismus and swelling when compared to methylprednisolone.