The efficacy of short course orally administered dexamethasone on the reduction of pain before conventional pulpotomy has not yet been demonstrated.

Therefore, the aim of this randomized clinical study is to assess the effect of dexamethasone on the reduction of pain in mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis, without performing conventional pulpotomy in comparison to pain following pulpotomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

Systemically healthy patients (Category: American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1) (ASA House of Delegates 2014) aged between 18 and 40 years with mandibular molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and a radiographically normal periapical region were included. Diagnosis was based on clinical and radiographic examination and pulp sensibility testing. Teeth were included if they responded long-term to cold test, the cold test was performed by injecting a syringe filled with cold water at the level of the suspicious tooth and the adjacent teeth. Teeth with deep occlusal decay, old restoration with underlying decay, recent restoration or crown were included. Patients that agreed to be contacted by phone after the emergency visit until pain relief, that were available to come back after the emergency visit for complete endodontic treatment and who had the ability to understand the informed consent form and pain recording scales used within this study were included.

Exclusion Criteria:

Teeth with acute or chronic apical abscess, pulp necrosis, septum syndrome and open apices were excluded. Medically compromised patients, pregnant and lactating women were excluded. Patients having history of allergy to local anesthetic solutions or any of the experimental drugs, on long-term medications that influenced pain threshold, analgesics, steroids and/or antibiotics in the recent past 24 h, were also excluded from the trial. Patients that suffered from a viral disease in evolution (Hepatitis, Herpes Zoster, Ocular Herpes), have or had a history of tuberculosis, hypertension, renal insufficiency, adrenocortical dysfunction, epilepsy, systemic fungal infections, GUILLAIN-BARRE syndrome, peptic ulcers and gastro intestinal disorders were excluded. Patients with Temporomandibular joint disorders were excluded. Patients suffering from mental disabilities were also excluded.