Local Dexamethasone Administration in Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis (SIPDEX)

June 26, 2026 updated by: Marmara University

Comparison of the Effects of Submucosal and Intraligamentary Dexamethasone Administration on Anesthetic Success and Pain Control in Patients With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis is associated with a high incidence of inadequate pulpal anesthesia during endodontic treatment, particularly in mandibular molar teeth. Failure to achieve profound anesthesia may result in increased intraoperative pain and patient discomfort. Corticosteroids have been suggested as adjunctive agents to improve pain control and reduce inflammatory responses; however, the influence of different local administration techniques on anesthetic success and postoperative pain remains unclear.

The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to compare the effects of submucosal and intraligamentary dexamethasone administration on anesthetic success and pain control in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. A total of 84 participants requiring root canal treatment of mandibular first or second molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) followed by submucosal saline injection (control group), (2) IANB followed by submucosal dexamethasone injection, and (3) IANB followed by intraligamentary dexamethasone injection.

All participants will receive standardized endodontic treatment under local anesthesia. The primary outcome measure is anesthetic success during access cavity preparation and pulp extirpation. Secondary outcome measures include postoperative pain intensity at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, and postoperative analgesic consumption. The results of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of different local dexamethasone administration techniques and contribute to improved pain management strategies in endodontic practice.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis is associated with a high incidence of failure of inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia, particularly in mandibular molars, resulting in pain during endodontic treatment and the frequent need for supplemental anesthesia. Corticosteroids have been investigated as adjunctive agents because of their anti-inflammatory properties and their potential to improve anesthetic success and reduce postoperative pain. However, limited evidence is available regarding the influence of different local administration techniques on these outcomes.

This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial aims to compare the effects of submucosal and intraligamentary administration of dexamethasone on anesthetic success and postoperative pain following inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis of mandibular first or second molars.

Eighty-four participants will be randomly allocated into three parallel groups (28 participants per group):

Group 1 (Control): Inferior alveolar nerve block followed by submucosal injection of normal saline (placebo).

Group 2: Inferior alveolar nerve block followed by submucosal injection of dexamethasone.

Group 3: Inferior alveolar nerve block followed by intraligamentary injection of dexamethasone.

The primary outcome is anesthetic success, assessed using the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (HP-VAS) during access cavity preparation and pulp extirpation. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain intensity assessed using the HP-VAS at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment, as well as the need for postoperative analgesic medication. The findings of this study may help identify the most effective local administration technique for dexamethasone to improve anesthetic success and postoperative pain management in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

84

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Elif İrem Altıntaş, Research Assistant
  • Phone Number: +905425491411
  • Email: eialtintas@icloud.com

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients aged 18 to 65 years.
  • ASA I or ASA II systemic health status.
  • Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in a mandibular molar tooth.
  • Positive response to pulp sensibility tests.
  • Preoperative pain score greater than 54 mm on the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (HP-VAS).
  • Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Allergy or contraindication to articaine, dexamethasone, or study-related medications.
  • Use of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or antibiotics within the previous 12 hours.
  • Presence of periapical radiolucency or diagnosis of pulpal necrosis.
  • Significant systemic disease (ASA III or higher).
  • Inability to complete pain assessment forms or follow study procedures.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Control Group
Participants receive an inferior alveolar nerve block followed by a submucosal saline injection prior to endodontic treatment.
Drug: Saline (0.9%, sterile, for infusion)
Normal saline is administered submucosally following inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis undergoing root canal treatment.
Experimental: Submucosal Dexamethasone
Participants receive an inferior alveolar nerve block followed by submucosal dexamethasone administration prior to endodontic treatment.
Drug: Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone (8 mg/2 mL) is administered submucosally following inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis undergoing root canal treatment.
Drug: Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone (8 mg/2 mL) is administered intraligamentarily following inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis undergoing root canal treatment.
Experimental: Intraligamentary Dexamethasone
Participants receive an inferior alveolar nerve block followed by intraligamentary dexamethasone administration prior to endodontic treatment.
Drug: Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone (8 mg/2 mL) is administered submucosally following inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis undergoing root canal treatment.
Drug: Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone (8 mg/2 mL) is administered intraligamentarily following inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis undergoing root canal treatment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Success of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Anesthesia
Time Frame: Periprocedural (during access cavity preparation and pulp extirpation)
Anesthetic success will be assessed using the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (HP-VAS) during access cavity preparation and pulp extirpation. Successful anesthesia is defined as no pain or mild pain (HP-VAS <54 mm) without the need for supplemental anesthesia. Moderate or severe pain (HP-VAS ≥54 mm) or the need for supplemental anesthesia will be considered anesthetic failure.
Periprocedural (during access cavity preparation and pulp extirpation)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Postoperative Pain Intensity
Time Frame: 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment
Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale (HP-VAS) at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment.
6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment
Need for Postoperative Analgesic Medication
Time Frame: Up to 72 hours after treatment
The need for postoperative analgesic medication will be assessed by recording whether participants require rescue analgesic medication during the 72-hour follow-up period after treatment.
Up to 72 hours after treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Marmara University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 18, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 26, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 26, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SIPDEX2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because there is no current data-sharing plan, and the study protocol and ethics approval do not include provisions for public sharing of individual participant-level data.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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