NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS VS. CORTICOSTEROIDS IN PAIN AND INFLAMMATION CONTROL IN IMPACTED TOOTH SURGERY

Abstract

In surgical procedures involving impacted teeth, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids are pharmacological options for the management of the postoperative inflammatory response. This integrative review aimed to evaluate, based on recent literature, the efficacy of NSAIDs and corticosteroids in controlling pain and inflammation following the surgical extraction of impacted teeth. Articles published between 2020 and 2025, in Portuguese and English, and available in PubMed/MEDLINE, the Virtual Health Library (VHL), the CAPES Journal Portal, and Google Scholar were selected. Eligible studies included original research and systematic reviews with full-text availability. Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Both corticosteroids and NSAIDs were found to be effective in managing postoperative pain and edema, although differences were observed according to the therapeutic strategy. Corticosteroids, particularly dexamethasone, demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing postoperative edema when administered preemptively, whereas NSAIDs, particularly ibuprofen, showed a more pronounced analgesic effect in the postoperative period. Furthermore, the combination of corticosteroids and NSAIDs was associated with greater pain reduction and a lower need for rescue analgesics. These therapeutic approaches represent safe and effective alternatives; however, further studies with greater methodological rigor are warranted to establish standardized protocols and improve therapeutic safety and predictability.