Comparing 4 mg versus 8 mg submucosal dexamethasone for pain after single-tooth dental implant surgery

Comparative Efficacy of 4 mg vs. 8 mg Submucosal Dexamethasone in Postoperative Pain Management After Dental Implant Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

Phase 3 Interventional Oman Ministry of Health · NCT07413055

This will see if a 4 mg or 8 mg dexamethasone injection under the gum reduces pain after single-tooth dental implant surgery compared with a saline injection.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment138 (estimated)
Ages21 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorOman Ministry of Health Government
Locations1 site (Muscat)
Trial IDNCT07413055 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial at Al Nahdha Hospital in Muscat enrolls adults receiving a single-tooth implant and randomly assigns them to a 4 mg dexamethasone submucosal injection, an 8 mg injection, or saline placebo at the surgical site. Postoperative pain is measured with a Visual Analog Scale at 6 hours and daily for six days, and the number of analgesic tablets taken is recorded. Preoperative anxiety is measured using the GAD-7 to explore its relationship with postoperative pain. The trial excludes patients needing bone augmentation/sinus lift, those requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, smokers, pregnant or lactating people, and those with relevant medication allergies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21–80, ASA I–II, scheduled for a single-tooth type 3 or type 4 implant, who are not pregnant or lactating, are non-smokers/non-alcoholics, and do not require bone grafting or antibiotic prophylaxis.

Not a fit: Patients needing bone augmentation or sinus lifting, those who require antibiotic prophylaxis, smokers/alcoholics, pregnant or breastfeeding people, and those with allergies to study medications are not expected to benefit from or be eligible for this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify an optimal local dexamethasone dose that reduces pain and lowers postoperative painkiller use after dental implant surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of local corticosteroids in oral surgery have generally reduced pain and swelling, but the optimal submucosal dexamethasone dose after dental implant placement remains unclear.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males \& females
* Age range (21-80)
* ASA I \& II according to (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification
* Single tooth implant
* Type 3 \& type 4 implant placement timing (Chen and Buser, 2009)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any known allergy to any medications which will be used in the study
* Smokers/ Alcoholics
* Pregnant and lactating women
* Bone augmentation/ sinus lifting required during the surgery
* The need of antibiotic prophylaxis

Where this trial is running

Muscat

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Postoperative PainDexamethasoneDental implantsPostoperative painSubmucosal injectionAnalgesic consumptionAnxiety
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.