The supraperiosteal route of dexamethasone should be considered for dental surgery

We read the interesting paper by Kim et al.1 that addresses the use of corticosteroids after third molar surgery. It provides practitioners helpful, quick, and reliable information regarding patients undergoing third molar surgery. Unfortunately, we could not find any data about the supraperiosteal use of dexamethasone that was described previously for dental surgery.2, 3, 4 Because glucocorticosteroids must be present at the site of inflammation to exert their antiinflammatory effect, infiltration into the buccal vestibule appears to be an effective way of administration for dexamethasone with several advantages.2, 3 On the basis of this article, there is no consensus on the best way of administration and the most effective dose of dexamethasone. The supraperiosteal route should also be considered when future trials are designed to assess the optimum dose and route of administration of corticosteroids.