Single preoperative dose versus long-term prophylactic antibiotic regimens in dental implant surgery

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotic regimens commonly used in dental implant surgery. Preoperative single-dose and long-term prophylactic antibiotic regimens were compared.

This was a 2-center prospective study in which 215 patients underwent ambulatory endosseous implant placement. In the first group, 445 dental implants were placed in 125 patients after the administration of a single preoperative dose of prophylactic antibiotic with no postoperative antibiotics. In the second group, 302 dental implants were placed in 90 patients who received a preoperative dose of antibiotics and were instructed to take antibiotics postoperatively for 7 days. In both groups, 0.12% chlorhexidine pre- and postoperative mouth rinses were used. Patients returned for postoperative evaluation at 1 week, 2 weeks, and just prior to surgical uncovering. The surgical sites were assessed for pain, swelling, erythema, and purulence.

In the first group, 3 patients developed wound dehiscence at 5 implant sites and 1 developed a minor inflammatory response. None of the patients in this group received further antibiotics. In the second group, 3 patients developed wound dehiscence, 2 developed an inflammatory response, and 1 was diagnosed with infection, for which another course of antibiotics was required. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups according to the Fisher 2 x 4 exact test (P = .56).

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics is unacceptable in clinical practice today. Surgeons must adhere to basic principles to gain the most benefit from the use of prophylactic antibiotics.

Long-term prophylactic antibiotic use in implant surgery was of no advantage or benefit over a single-dose preoperative antibiotic regimen in this patient population.