Does the use of antibiotics reduce the frequency of implant failure and post-operative infection?

This summary is based on the article published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Do antibiotics decrease implant failure and postoperative infections? A systematic review and meta-analysis (January 2014)

J. Ata-Ali, F. Ata-Ali, F. Ata-Ali

Context

Dental implants are an effective, safe and predictable solution for those who have lost a tooth or teeth due to dental caries, periodontal disease, injury, or other reasons.(1)

It is believed that a certain number of early dental implant losses are due to bacterial contamination at implant insertion.(2)

It is still debated whether early dental implant failure and post-operative infection can be reduced by antibiotic prophylaxis. However, the role of antibiotic use in the setting of implant placement and its effects on implant failure and postoperative infection are unclear. (3)

Purpose of the Review

The purpose of this study was to systematically review and perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of the current literature to answer the following question:

“Among patients receiving dental implants, does the use of antibiotics, when compared with a control group, reduce the frequency of implant failure and post-operative infection?”

Key Findings

• Antibiotic use significantly lowered the implant failure rate, implying that antibiotic treatment reduced the odds of failure by 67%.
• There is evidence in favour of systematic antibiotic use in patients receiving dental implants, since such treatment significantly reduces implant failure.
• In contrast, antibiotic use does not exert a significant preventive effect against postoperative infection.

References

1. Lian Z, Guan H, Ivanovski S, Loo YC, Johnson NW, Zhang H. Effect of bone to implant contact percentage on bone remodelling surrounding a dental implant. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2010;39:690–8.
2. Esposito M, Hirsch JM, Lekholm U, Thomsen P. Biological factors contributing to failures of osseointegrated oral implants. (II). Etiopathogenesis. Eur J Oral Sci 1998;106: 721–64.
3. Sharaf B, Jandali-Rifai M, Susarla SM, Dodson TB. Do perioperative antibiotics decrease implant failure. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011;69:2345–50.

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