Prescribing systemic antibiotics when replanting avulsed teeth.
METHODS
Four databases were searched for relevant citations: Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, PubMed and ISI Web of Science.


METHODS
Studies were included if they were conducted on human permanent anterior teeth and they reported systematic antibiotic use and periodontal healing outcomes. Only English language papers were considered.


METHODS
A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran Q test and I(2) statistic.


RESULTS
Three studies were included in the meta-analyses involving, in total, 326 teeth: 247 (76%) of these were treated with systemic antibiotics, whereas 79 (24%) had no systemic antibiotic therapy following replantation. There was no statistically significant difference between prescribing or not prescribing antibiotics for acceptable periodontal healing without progressive root resorption (common odds ratio, 0.90; standard error of the mean, 0.29; 95% confidence intervals, 0.51-1.58).


CONCLUSIONS
There was inconclusive evidence for an association between systemic antibiotic therapy and an increased likelihood of acceptable periodontal healing. Pending future research to the contrary, dentists are recommended to follow current guidelines in prescribing systemic antibiotic therapy when replanting avulsed teeth.
Evans
Dafydd
D
Preventive and Children's Section, Dundee Dental Hospital and School, Park Place, Dundee, Scotland, UK.