Antibiotic prophylaxis and (pre-)dental implant surgery

Abstract

Recent literature indicates that in a healthy patient, who has sufficient bone volume to allow implant placement, it is justified to refrain from prophylactic administration of antibiotics. The patient should, however, rinse with chlorhexidine digluconate 1 day prior to treatment and at least 1 week postoperatively. In the case of an immune-compromised patient, a single antibiotic gift is indicated 1 hour before the procedure (2 grams of amoxicillin orally or 2 grams of cefazoline intravenously). In the case of a healthy patient, antibiotic (AB) prophylaxis is also indicated if autologous bone, a bone filler or membranes are applied. Although AB prophylaxis is not necessary when harvesting extraoral bone grafts, it is indicated because the harvested bone is applied intraorally in the same treatment session. The question whether postoperative administration of antibiotics is still needed remains open.