Antibiotic prophylaxis in dental patients with body prostheses

Antibiotic administration before performing dental treatments, with the purpose of preventing the possible risks associated with bacteremia, has received much support but also considerable criticism. Advances in surgery have led dental professionals to deal with patients carrying body prostheses of different kinds - thus giving rise to situations in relation to dental management that require careful evaluation. In this context, when deciding whether or not to provide antibiotic prophylaxis, the dental professional must also be able to adequately assess other aspects such as oral status, the dental treatment required, the type of body implant involved, the potential risk of infection in relation to the prosthesis, associated secondary pathologies, the type of antibiotic indicated and its spectrum of action, as well as the dosage, side effects and economical cost of the antibiotic administered.