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Study disproves need for antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of dental implant infections

A recent study has found that the prophylactic use of antibiotics has no influence on the prevalence of post-surgical dental implant complications in overall healthy patients. (Photograph: megaflop/Shutterstock)

Fri. 24. May 2019

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NEW YORK, U.S.: The question of whether antibiotics positively influence the survival of dental implants in overall healthy patients is still highly discussed. Thus, in a recent study, researchers from the New York University College of Dentistry sought to determine the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis and specific antibiotic regimens for the prevention of postoperative infection (POI) in dental implant placement.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antibiotics with no antibiotics or placebo for dental implant placement were considered. The primary outcome was early, late or total POI, and wound dehiscence, pain and adverse events of antibiotic treatment were secondary outcomes.

The researchers screened 1,022 abstracts and ten RCTs, involving a total of 1,934 patients. All ten individual studies reported no statistically significant difference for POI. Meta-analysis found no statistically significant differences in early, late or total POI, wound dehiscence or adverse effects between antibiotic and no-antibiotic groups.

The researchers concluded: “The results of this systematic review suggest that antibiotic prophylaxis may not be indicated for prevention of POIs following dental implant placement in overall healthy patients. These findings and in light of antibiotic-associated risks for individual and public health demand revaluation of routine prescription of antibiotic prophylaxis in dental implant placement procedures.”

The study, titled “Antibiotic prophylaxis may not be indicated for prevention of dental implant infections in healthy patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis,” was published in the April 2019 issue of Clinical Oral Investigations.

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