Dexamethasone for Postoperative Pain

Possible participants will be scheduled to have 2 gum flap surgeries done on 2 similar surgical sites in the mouth. The study looks at two different ways of giving dexamethasone, a medication used to reduce inflammation. The researchers want to learn if taking dexamethasone by mouth works similarly to receiving dexamethasone through the participant's vein (intravenous, or IV) in reducing short-term pain, swelling, and pain medication after periodontal (gum) flap surgery.

The periodontal evaluation, treatment planning, IV sedation, gum surgery, sutures, and usual postoperative care are part of standard care and would be done even if a participant does not join the study. After joining the study, participants will be randomly assigned to the order in which they receive dexamethasone. At one surgery, participants will receive IV dexamethasone plus oral placebo (an inactive substance that looks the same but does not contain dexamethasone). At the next surgery, participants will receive oral dexamethasone plus IV placebo. As part of the study, participants will be asked to record your pain, swelling and any other medication use.