PROPHYLACTIC ADMINISTRATION OF AMOXICILLIN IN IMPACTED THIRD MOLAR SURGERIES IN HEALTHY PATIENTS: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Impacted third molar surgeries are common procedures in clinical practice of dentists and are associated with several trans and postoperative complications. As a result, antibiotic prophylaxis is quite common. Aim: To investigate the scientific evidences regarding the prophylactic prescription of amoxicillin in third molar surgeries in healthy patients. Methods: It was carried out a literature review in the electronic databases SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, and Oviatt Library from December of 2015 to January of 2016, using as descriptors: amoxicillin, antibiotic prophylaxis, dental surgery, and third molar. Results and Discussion: Prophylactic administration of amoxicillin for third molar extraction is controversial in terms of its effectiveness in preventing post-surgical complications given that the scientific evidences about its advantages and disadvantages are still limited. Conclusion: In third molar extraction of healthy patients, amoxicillin given prophylactically should be carefully prescribed.