Penicillin as a supplement in resolving the localized acute apical abscess.
OBJECTIVE
Antibiotics are often prescribed indiscriminately to treat endodontic emergencies.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined (1) the effect of penicillin supplementation on reduction of symptoms and (2) the course of recovery of localized acute apical abscess after emergency treatment.


METHODS
Patients with pulp necrosis and periapical pain and/or localized swelling were considered. Those eligible did not have any signs of spreading infections. Patients received appropriate local treatment, and a double-blind protocol was used to randomly assign them to one of three groups: penicillin VK group, placebo group, or neither medication group. All received ibuprofen 600 mg four times daily for 24 hours. Patients entered their pre- and postoperative pain and swelling experience on a visual analog scale for up to 72 hours.


RESULTS
Resolution was fairly rapid in most patients. Statistical analysis of the scores of 32 respondents revealed no significant differences (at p < 0.05) between the three groups in course of recovery or symptoms at any time period.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with localized periapical pain or swelling generally recovered quickly with local treatment. The data did not show a demonstrable benefit from penicillin supplementation.
Fouad
A F
AF
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
Rivera
E M
EM
Walton
R E
RE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007052:Ibuprofen; D010404:Penicillin V