Antibiotic Prophylactic Treatment for Dental Work

[Justin]

• Do patients with total joint replacements need antibiotics before dental work?
  Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 2003; 70(4):351-352. Thomas F Keys.

• Antibiotic Prophylactic Treatment for Dental Work (Spine Universe)

• Patients with artificial joints: do they need antibiotic cover for dental treatment?
  Australian Dental Journal Medications, Supplement 2005;50:4 (S45-S53). JF Scott, D Morgan, M Avent, S Graves, AN Goss.
  
  
  --> This is a great read with color pictures and charts from our friends "Down Under." After you click on the link above, scroll half way down the page and look for the title.

[Justin]

This topic has come up frequently in the past. I'm having my teeth cleaned at the dentist this Friday, so I thought it deserves an update.

A great evidence-based guideline for Spine Patients regarding "Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Spine Surgery" from the North American Spine Society is a great read; plus the color PDF is nice on the eyes.

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COLOR PDF:

Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Spine Surgery
North American Spine Society
Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Spine Care

Please see our Education, Research and Spine Publications Forum for more peer-reviewed abstracts and literature.

[Terry Newton]

My dentist has recommended that I take antibiotics an hour before teeth cleaning or other dental procedures for three years after disc replacement surgery. I have been faithfully following the recommendation since the surgery. I will be at three years post-op this November 4th. A nice precaution in my book.

Terry Newton

[Alastair]

in the UK we have now said that this is not applicable, I don't take antibiotics before dental treatment. It's an official opinion of the dental profession

[Cindylou]

I am at 2 years 8 months since my 3 lumbar adr's.....forgot to take an antibiotic before my dental procedure yesterday, and thus, my dentist wouldn't treat me. It seems like there is still really no clear cut answer to this, but are most of you with artificial lumbar/cervical replacement still taking an antibiotic before dental cleanings/procedures indefinitely?

[ajj1001]

Not recommended to take antibiotics before dental treatment and I never have done. Had no problems.

[Justin]

I am at 2 years 8 months since my 3 lumbar adr's.....forgot to take an antibiotic before my dental procedure yesterday, and thus, my dentist wouldn't treat me. It seems like there is still really no clear cut answer to this, but are most of you with artificial lumbar/cervical replacement still taking an antibiotic before dental cleanings/procedures indefinitely?

I just went for a cleaning the first week of December. I'm still taking prophylactic antibiotics one hour before any dental procedures.

Unfortunately, there is no consensus on this topic. Personally, I believe the benefits surely outweigh the risks (one risk being infection requiring device explantation).

Prevention of Infection in Prosthetic Devices

[Cindylou]

Thank-you Justin and Alison for that feedback. Yes, I think I will have my dentist write the script out and take one too before I go back. I noticed Alison and Alistar, both from UK, don't take any....so perhaps there is some difference between the States and UK on this.......not sure. But I think I will take precautionary measures as well.

Thank-you again for the feedback.

[KBear]

I know this is an old thread and I can't find the exact dental one I'm looking for, so this one will have to work. I know we've discussed this several times before and I had even asked my pain management doctor about it. When I asked him a few months ago, he acted as if there was no reason I would need to do the pre med before dental work. Well, today I wake up with a throbbing toothache and the dentist will not treat me without a release on the pre-med. I call the pm dr. and now they say they can't say for sure if I need it or not. I then call the study coordinator who tells me that the jury is still out on it, but she went and spoke with the surgeon. No one would sign a release saying I didn't need it, so obviously whether they believe you need it or not, they aren't going to chance saying you don't, then something going wrong. In the end they faxed over a letter saying yes I needed it, but if I were taking antibiotics for the abscess that those would count and nothing else would be needed. Long story short, sounds like it's better to be safe than sorry and take the medication. Now I get to spend the weekend with a toothache, take the medication and get a root canal on Monday...... oh what fun! And they won't give me the laughing gas because I'm preggo, dang. Not to mention they have to use a different kind of numbing agent, which doesn't last as long and I already have issues with never being numb enough. Looks like it will be Monday- Funday.

[trkdoc714]

That's a shame you have to go the weekend with a toothache. I have gone to the dentist a few times since surgery. He's never mentioned a concern. He asked a lot of questions about the surgery, but it was just out of fascination with the new technologies.

I hope the pain subsides to a mere irritation for the interim.

Bob