Alternative antibiotics to amoxicillin have been associated with a higher rate of dental implant failure.
According to a new study by experts at NYU College of Dentistry, patients who report a penicillin allergy and are given alternative antibiotics are more than twice as likely to fail dental implants as those who are given amoxicillin.
The study, which was published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, is the first to look into the effects of antibiotics other than amoxicillin when it comes to dental implants.
Dental implants are a safe and long-lasting way to replace missing or damaged teeth. A screw-like implant is surgically implanted in the jawbone to act as the root of a replacement tooth and anchor the artificial tooth. Over the course of several months, the bone fuses to the implant, allowing it to integrate into the jaw.
While the majority of dental implants are effective, a tiny percentage of them fail because the jawbone does not adequately integrate the implant. This can be caused by a multitude of factors, including illness, smoking, or a tooth injury. Many dental professionals prescribe amoxicillin, a penicillin-related antibiotic, before and after implant surgery to lower the risk of infection. Alternative antibiotics might be provided if a patient reports an allergy to penicillin.
Patients with a penicillin allergy had a greater likelihood of dental implant failure, although previous research hasn't looked at which antibiotics were utilized. To better understand the effects of different antibiotics, researchers from NYU College of Dentistry examined the records of patients who had dental implants, noting which antibiotics were given and whether the dental implant was successful or not.
A total of 838 patients were enrolled in the study, with 434 of them reporting a penicillin allergy and 404 patients who did not. Patients who did not have a penicillin allergy were given amoxicillin, while those who did had an allergy were given clindamycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, or metronidazole as a substitute.
Free for members
Keep reading — it's free
The rest of this article is open to DentalReach members. Create a free account, or sign in, and every article on the site opens in full.