Topical Hydrocortisone for Pain and Edema Control After Third Molar Surgery

Third molars are the teeth with a higher prevalence of failure in eruption and surgery for extraction of these impacted teeth is one of the most commonly procedures performed by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. In most cases these are not traumatic procedures, however factors such as patient age, habits, degree of tooth impaction and surgeon experience can influence the surgical trauma and therefore the postoperative period could include swelling and pain of varying magnitudes which can significantly affect the patient's quality of life.

The study is designed as a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, split-mouth crossover trial. All the patients will be informed of the experimental methodology and signed a institutionally approved consent form. The study is been conducted in compliance with Declaration of Helsinki (1989), and was revised by the Institutional Ethical Committee (protocol 1.167.908).

Inclusion criteria

• Health patients of any sex, with symmetric bilateral bone-impacted mandibular third molars requiring surgical removal, and with no history of allergy to the drugs used in this study.

Exclusion criteria

• Use of analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs 24 hours before the surgery.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding patients,
• Use of other drugs beyond of that one's prescribed by the researchers;