Following third molar surgery, the patients were mentally prepared to expect only pain and swelling; rather, they reported severe difficulty with eating/ mastication and lack of enjoyment of food, speech disturbances and lack of sleep. Work and duty, they complained were adversely affected; infact they could not socialize for more than one week, hence there quality of life were severely impacted. This showed a gap between the patients' expectations and their actual experience during the recovery period. Subjects who had perioperative dexamethasone administration, however had a rather different experience.