Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Dental Implants: A review

Abstract

Dentists are often faced with the tough decision of whether to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics for complex oral surgeries such as dental implants. Although these decisions are generally made on a case by case basis, if antibiotics were improperly prescribed, it would produce a greater difficulty in treating infections.

Materials and methods: Antibiotics are used to prevent infections. If a dental implant does become infected, the chances of implant failure become high. While a huge number of factors can ultimately lead to the failure of dental implants, most of us take extra precautions regarding infection.

Generally, Amoxicillin and Penicillins are prescribed as first line of treatment, due to their superior absorption rate and prolonged serum levels. In today’s population, however, there is increased levels of penicillin allergies. In such cases, Clindamycin is used as an alternate with excellent results. The use of antibiotics in implant dentistry is controversial. While, pre-operational standard guidelines regarding antibiotics are possible to form; however, post-operational will need to be based on procedural outcomes during, and after completion of the operation.

Conclusion: The non-evidence-based practice protocol of prescribing prophylactic antibiotics raises serious ethical concerns. Surgeons and general practitioners are routinely placing implants with antibiotics perhaps due to the fact that they are fearful of the repercussions of implant failure. The negative impacts associated with use of antibiotic therapy must be assessed in comparison to the costs and morbidity. The dental professionals must be careful, to not only prescribe antibiotics only when necessary, but also work towards performing implant procedures with utmost care and importance given to sterilization and a maintenance of aseptic conditions before and during the procedure.

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