Should Antibiotics Be Rationed in Periodontics —if Yes, how?

AbstractPurposeBased on the latest findings, we evaluate the benefits and risks of systemic antibiotics in periodontal treatment and search for opportunities to reduce their use.Recent FindingsThorough mechanical debridement by deep scaling and root planing (SRP) resolves a considerable amount of pathology on its own. Thus, antibiotics are not needed for most cases of periodontitis. Specific indications are the presence of multiple deep pockets, especially in the molar area and rapid rate of progression. There, SRP plus amoxicillin-metronidazole can be an efficacious, minimally invasive, rapid, and inexpensive form of treatment. Considering recent findings on benefits and unwanted effects of antibiotics, we present three scenarios to limit or optimize their use.SummaryAntibiotics are no alternative for high-quality SRP or oral hygiene. Antibiotics adjunctive to SRP should be weighed on an individual basis against the necessity of further therapy at a later stage.
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research