Healing after dental extractions in men with HIV infection

To determine the incidence of delayed healing after dental extractions in men with HIV infection, a retrospective audit was conducted of all extractions performed in a dedicated dental clinic over a 26-month period. The incidence of delayed healing in patients with HIV was compared with the incidence in those patients without HIV. Eighty men with HIV had 163 teeth extracted, which resulted in five dry sockets (3.01%). Thirty-six men thought not to have HIV had 70 extractions and three dry sockets (4.28%). All three dry sockets in the control group occurred in men who had tested negative for HIV antibodies in the year before their extraction. There were no other incidents of delayed healing. These findings contrast with other reports since they reveal no increase in delayed healing after extractions in men with HIV and do not support recommendations that prophylactic antimicrobials are required for extractions in this group of patients.