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Antibiotics and dentistry: a brief review
1Department of General Dentistry, College of Dentistry, The University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
|January 1, 1994
Summary
This historical review traces the development of antimicrobial compounds, highlighting antibiotics like penicillin and synthetic agents for dental infections. Penicillin remains a preferred choice for odontogenic infections due to its effectiveness and affordability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Dental Science
Background:
- Dental disease treatment has evolved significantly over time.
- Antimicrobial compounds are crucial in managing dental infections.
- Understanding the history of these agents informs current practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical perspective on the evolution of modern antimicrobial compounds.
- To examine the applications of these compounds in dentistry.
- To acknowledge key contributions to the field over the past century.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of scientific literature and contributions.
- Categorization of antimicrobial agents into natural (antibiotics) and synthetic origins.
- Identification of significant antibiotic groups relevant to dentistry.
Main Results:
- Antimicrobial agents are broadly classified into naturally occurring (antibiotics) and synthetic compounds.
- Antibiotics include fungal (penicillins, cephalosporins), bacterial, and actinomycetes (aminoglycosides) origins.
- Penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides are key antibiotic groups for dentistry, with penicillin often favored for odontogenic infections.
Conclusions:
- Penicillin's efficacy, low cost, and ease of administration make it a primary choice for odontogenic infections.
- Synthetic antimicrobial agents have limited therapeutic value in dentistry due to cost, effectiveness, or toxicity issues.
- The historical development of antimicrobial compounds has greatly advanced dental treatment modalities.