A comparative evaluation of the effect of addition of 8 mg dexamethasone to 2% lignocaine with adrenaline in mandibular third molar surgery: a split mouth randomised double blind study.

The addition of dexamethasone to lignocaine in the nerve block reduces the time of onset and significantly prolongs the duration of anaesthesia with decreased pain, swelling and trismus. Steroids mixed directly with the local anaesthetic agent can minimise the post-operative sequelae associated with third molar surgery with a single needle prick.