Hands On

Antibiotic prophylaxis

Background

The use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent postoperative infection connected with implant placement is controversial. The evidence does not support a specific protocol and clinical practice appears to be inconsistent. The antibiotic prescribing habits of oral and maxillofacial surgeons during routine dental implant placement were sought.

Methods

A survey was distributed to the members of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons asking questions related to whether antibiotics were routinely prescribed and the practice situations of the surgeons. Fifteen percent of the sample responded, for a total of 217 surveys.

Results

Twenty-eight percent of the respondents were in solo private practice, 40% in group private practice, 30% in an academic setting, and 3 in the military and 2 in other situations. One hundred twelve (51.6%) prescribed antibiotics preoperatively and 152 (71.4%) prescribed them postoperatively. Seventy-two (34%) who answered the questions concerning pre- and postoperative antibiotic use said they prescribed these agents both before and after surgery.

A statistically significant difference was noted

Discussion

No consensus was found among the oral and maxillofacial surgeons who completed this survey concerning the use of antibiotics during routine implant surgery. Nearly half of the respondents did not use antibiotics preoperatively; nearly a third did not use them postoperatively. Those who did use antibiotics did not use them as has been recommended through various studies. In addition, academically based practitioners were less likely to use antibiotics than those in private practice.