MEDIUMResearchTier 2

Intramasseteric vs. pterygomandibular space dexamethasone injection for oedema and trismus

SourceBMC Oral HealthTier 2Peer-Reviewed Research

Originally at link.springer.com

Summary & scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol (Drill-Down Score) — not the original publisher.

Why it matters for dental

Oral surgeons and general dentists performing third-molar extractions may reduce post-operative swelling and trismus by choosing the intramasseteric route over the traditional pterygomandibular injection for dexamethasone, directly improving patient comfort and potentially shortening recovery time.

Key points

  • Randomised split-mouth clinical trial compared single-dose dexamethasone delivered via intramasseteric versus pterygomandibular space after mandibular third molar surgery.
  • Primary outcomes measured were facial oedema and maximum mouth opening (trismus) at defined post-operative intervals.
  • The intramasseteric injection site demonstrated measurable reductions in both oedema and trismus compared with the pterygomandibular approach.
  • Trial registration identifier is provided in the original paper for reference.

Who should care

SpecialistAcademia

Read the original on BMC Oral Health

Full reporting and any paywall content live on link.springer.com. We summarize and score; we do not republish.

Open original

Related