PATIENT EDUCATION
Do you need Antibiotics before dental procedures?
INTRODUCTION
Many people are told that they need to take an antibiotic before having a dental, surgical, or other invasive medical procedure. This topic discusses the benefit of taking a preprocedure antibiotic, who should take antibiotics, and provides an explanation of when antibiotics are usually recommended.
Certain procedures, such as a root canal or tooth extraction (as discussed below), may allow bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream. Rarely, these bacteria can infect the heart valves and lining of the heart, causing them to become inflamed. This inflammation is called infective endocarditis (IE). IE has the potential to cause catastrophic medical problems, including heart failure and leakage of the heart valves.
When taken before a procedure, antibiotics may prevent bacteria from being released into the bloodstream. This is known as antibiotic prophylaxis.
The guidelines provided below may not apply to every situation. There may be instances in which a person has a high or moderate risk of IE and antibiotics are not recommended. In such cases, it is important to understand the risks and benefits of taking versus not taking preventive antibiotics. You should discuss these issues with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS
Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the lining of heart chambers or valves with bacteria, fungi, or other organisms. IE occurs most commonly in people who have abnormal heart valves or had previous heart surgery; less commonly, it can occur in otherwise healthy people who have do not have heart disease. '
IE develops following a sequence of events:
● Bacteria circulate in the bloodstream and stick to the lining or valves of the heart, usually at a site of previous injury or surface
irregularity or abnormality.
● The bacteria then grow on the valve surface, forming a small mass (called a vegetation) on the heart valves or lining. The valve or
surface that is infected may then become secondarily damaged.
IE can develop in a very small percentage of people who undergo dental or other medical procedures that can cause bacteria to be transiently released into the bloodstream. Antibiotics are commonly given to people undergoing dental procedures who have preexisting heart murmurs or known problems with their heart valves, although the evidence that these antibiotics are always necessary or effective is not conclusive. Some studies show that antibiotics can help to prevent IE, while others show no benefit.
Guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis
In the past, American Heart Association guidelines recommended that most patients with a heart murmur receive antibiotics prior to almost any dental procedure, even minor ones. However, these guidelines have changed considerably over time as more information has become available about the actual risk of dental procedures for patients with heart conditions. Review of studies performed between 1950 and 2006, which included thousands of patients, has shown that there was no benefit of using preventive antibiotics, except in the highest risk patients
Highest risk
People with the following conditions are considered to be at the highest risk of developing IE. Preventive antibiotics are generally RECOMMENDED for people with the following conditions before certain procedures:
● A prosthetic heart valve
● Valve repair with prosthetic material
● A prior history of IE
● Unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits
● Completely repaired congenital heart defects with prosthetic material or device during the first six months after the procedure
(whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention)
● Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects at the site or adjacent to the site of the prosthetic patch or prosthetic device
Procedures that require pretreatment with antibiotics are listed below.
Moderate risk
People with the following conditions are considered to be at moderate risk of developing IE. Antibiotic prophylaxis is NOT generally recommended for people with moderate risk conditions. This is an important change from prior recommendations [1].
● Valve repair without prosthetic material
● Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
● Mitral valve prolapse with valvular regurgitation and/or valvular thickening
● Most other congenital cardiac abnormalities not listed above
● Unrepaired ventricular septal defect, unrepaired patent ductus arteriosus
● Acquired valvular dysfunction (eg, mitral or aortic regurgitation or stenosis)
Low risk
People with the following conditions are thought to have a low risk of IE. Antibiotics have never been recommended for people with these conditions:
● Physiologic, functional, or innocent heart murmurs
● Mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation or valvular leaflet thickening
● Mild tricuspid regurgitation
● Coronary artery disease (including previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery)
● Simple atrial septal defect
● Atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus that was successfully closed (either surgically
or with a catheter-based procedure) more than six months previously
● Previous rheumatic fever or Kawasaki disease without valvular dysfunction
● People with pacemakers or defibrillators
Preventative antibiotics are recommended for high-risk patients (as outlined above) undergoing dental procedures that involve manipulation of the tissue of the gums, the periapical region of the teeth, or perforation of the lining membranes of the gums such as tooth extractions, routine dental cleaning (scaling), or drainage of a dental abscess.
Other procedures such as anesthetic injections, dental X-rays, placement of orthodontic or prosthodontics appliances, loss of baby teeth, or bleeding from trauma to the lips or cheeks do not require antibiotics even in high-risk patients.
Dental care recommendations — Anyone who is at risk of developing IE should follow a program of careful mouth and tooth care. This includes a professional cleaning every six months, twice-daily tooth brushing, and daily flossing. These measures can help to prevent plaque and bacteria from building up around the gums and teeth.
ANTIBIOTIC RECOMMENDATIONS
The following treatment suggestions come from the American Heart Association's guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis.
Dental, oral, or upper respiratory tract procedures — People who are at highest risk for infective endocarditis (IE) should take one dose of an antibiotic by mouth (pills or liquid) one hour before certain dental, oral, or upper respiratory tract procedures; a second dose is not necessary.
● People allergic to penicillin – People who are allergic to penicillin can be treated one hour before the procedure
with an alternate antibiotic.
● People unable to take oral medications – People who are unable to take oral medications can be treated
with an antibiotic injection 30 minutes before the procedure.
Patients with prosthetic joints
Patients with prosthetic joints do NOT require antibiotic therapy prior to dental procedures.
Although antibiotics were commonly given in the past in such circumstances, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, and the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy all advise against the routine use of antibiotics prior to teeth cleaning, teeth scaling, or routine procedures such as filling of a dental cavity.
However, active dental infections in patients with prosthetic joints should be treated promptly, and good oral hygiene should be maintained.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women who are at highest risk for IE should take an antibiotic before certain dental, oral, or upper respiratory tract procedures.
Children
Children with a moderate or high risk of developing IE are usually given antibiotics before selected dental and surgical procedures.