Penicillin Allergy and Dental Implant Outcomes: A Review

Dental implants are widely used to replace missing teeth, providing a long-term solution for patients seeking functional and esthetic restoration. Concerns about implant failure and post-surgical complications, however,can arise, particularly in patients with known penicillin allergies. Because penicillin is often the first-line antibiotic used for infection prophylaxis in dental procedures, alternative antibiotics such as clindamycin are commonly prescribed for these patients. Penicillin allergy is associated with a higher risk of dental implant failure than in non-allergic patients, particularly when clindamycin is used as an alternative prophylactic antibiotic. Further research is needed to explore the optimal antibiotic regimen and minimize the risks of implant failure and infection in this patient population. This article reviews the clinical implications when caring for patients with selfreported penicillin allergies receiving dental implant therapy.