All About Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Orthopedic Implants, and Prosthetic Joints

Have you taken antibiotics prior to dental treatment, having undergone joint replacement in the past? If yes, you might no longer need to go to a pharmacy before the following procedure. According to American Dental Association, it is not crucial for most dental clients with orthopedic implants to take antibiotic prophylaxis for infection prevention.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis: What Is It?

The term refers to using antibiotics before dental procedures, including root canals, deep teeth cleaning, tooth extraction, and infection prevention procedures, such as thoroughly cleaning the areas between the gums and teeth roots.

Our mouths have bacteria, and the bacteria can enter our bloodstream, something which is known as bacteremia. It can happen through various dental procedures and daily activities such as chewing, flossing, and brushing. Even so, this is not an issue for most of us since having a healthy immune system prevents bacteria from bringing any problems. The issue is that once the bacteria is in the bloodstream, it can lead to an infection in another body part.

Patients who have undergone joint replacement would usually get premedication before the dental process in the years before 2012. Although common then, there was minimal evidence supporting the habit, and most experts were against it for many dental patients.

The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, together with the American Dental Association (ADA), gave new guidelines on the practice in 2012. The guidelines said that the associations were likely to consider stopping this practice of giving prophylactic antibiotics.

After about three years, in early 2015, the Council of Scientific affairs at the American Dental Association gave a further guideline where it further discouraged the practice for most patients. It is standard practice that such guidelines are re-evaluated every few years to ensure that they are supported by scientific evidence.

Why Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Unnecessary?

Upon keen review of scientific findings, the ADA learned that there is no association between prosthetic joint implant infections and antibiotics recommended before the dental processes to prevent infections.

For most patients, the hazard of using these antibiotics might, in fact, be more than any benefits. The medical risks of using antibiotics include allergic reactions such as the life-threatening extreme allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock, stomach issues, and nausea.

Antibiotic bacterial resistance is another potential risk, making treatment hard, especially for infections such as meningitis, strep throat, and pink eye. In addition, it increases the chances of getting C. difficile infection, an infection that causes intestinal issues such as diarrhea. If the patient is above 70 years, they are also at a higher risk of severe reaction to some of the antibiotics.

To Whom Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Helpful?

Antibiotic prophylaxis might still be recommended to a patient, depending on their medical history. For instance, it is beneficial to patients scheduled for dental procedures but with a weak immune system due to factors such as chronic use of steroids, cancer, chemotherapy, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Antibiotic prophylaxis can also be helpful to patients with heart problems.

The risk of getting orthopedic implant-related infections is higher for those with a suppressed immune system. Ask your physician or dentist whether you need antibiotic prophylaxis before your upcoming dental procedure.

For more information regarding your dental health,  please give Dr. Apsey of Smile Brightly Dental a call today!  We are located in Warren, MI and we can be reached at 586-573-7700!