Endodontics in the adult patient: the role of antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review the published work on the indications and efficacy for antibiotics in endodontic therapy.


METHODS
Published works in the medical and dental literature.


METHODS
Evaluation of published clinical trials in endodontic and other pertinent literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotics are not routinely indicated in the practice of endodontics. Therapeutic antibiotics may be required as an adjunct to operative treatment when there is pyrexia and/or gross local swelling; they are only rarely indicated in the absence of operative intervention. Prophylactic antibiotics may be required for certain patients who are susceptible to serious infective sequaelae.
Longman
L P
LP
Restorative Dentistry, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5PS, UK. lplong@liv.ac.uk
Preston
A J
AJ
Martin
M V
MV
Wilson
N H
NH
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents