Associate Dentist San Antonio, Texas, United States
Objective: To discuss the effects of corticosteroids on pain reduction when given preoperatively and postoperatively for necrotic and vital teeth and its effect on the efficacy of local anesthesia. Analgesic medications are used primarily in dentistry for pain relief and sometimes for increasing the efficacy of local anesthesia. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are widely used for reducing endodontic pain by targeting the cyclooxygenase pathway. Corticosteroids are man-made versions of the adrenal gland's hormones and are mainly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids work directly and indirectly to prevent pain at the site of tissue injury by suppressing the release of inflammatory mediators. Decreased levels of mediators are shown to prevent an increase in vascular permeability, thereby decreasing tissue fluid accumulation resulting in decreased tissue pressure. In endodontics steroids may be used systemically or locally as an intracanal medicament. They may also be used systemically to improve the efficacy of local anesthetic with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.
Conclusions: This presentation will discuss the uses of corticosteroids in endodontics based on a review of the literature.
