Effect of Dexamethasone on Swelling and Trismus After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

The Effect of Dexamethasone Submucosal Injection After Third Molar Surgery on Trismus and Edema

Phase 4 Interventional King Abdulaziz University · NCT06953440

This study is testing if a shot of dexamethasone can help adults recover better from swelling and jaw stiffness after having their wisdom teeth removed.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment66 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorKing Abdulaziz University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Jeddah, Mecca Region)
Trial IDNCT06953440 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the impact of dexamethasone submucosal injection on reducing swelling and trismus in adults undergoing the surgical extraction of lower impacted third molars. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either dexamethasone or a placebo after surgery, with follow-up visits scheduled to assess outcomes. The study employs a double-blind methodology to ensure unbiased results, with measurements taken using standardized techniques to evaluate trismus and edema. The goal is to determine if dexamethasone can improve postoperative recovery compared to conventional treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with impacted lower third molars requiring surgical extraction and classified as ASA 1 or ASA 2.

Not a fit: Patients with preoperative swelling, uncontrolled systemic diseases, or allergies to corticosteroids may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to reduced swelling and improved recovery times for patients undergoing wisdom tooth extraction.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with corticosteroids in reducing postoperative complications, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with impacted lower third molars requiring surgical extraction.
* Adults over the age of 18 years old.
* American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) 1, and ASA 2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with preoperative intraoral or extraoral swelling.
* Patients requiring simple extraction (Class I group A according to Pell and ---Gregory classification).
* Patients with uncontrolled systemic disease such as uncontrolled diabetic - patients.
* Patients who are allergic to corticosteroids.
* Patients who are contraindicated to use corticosteroids such as uncontrolled diabetic patients, and osteoporotic patients.
* Patients who require extraction of additional teeth at the same visit.

Where this trial is running

Jeddah, Mecca Region

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 Swelling/ EdemaTrismusExtractionthird molarwisdom teethdexamethasonesteroidssubmucosal
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.