The Journal of the American Dental Association
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 134, No 7, 899.
© 2003 American Dental Association
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Search for Related Content

ASSOCIATION REPORT

Your joint replacement, dental procedures and antibiotics



AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION; AND AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS

For the first two years after a joint replacement, all patients may need antibiotics for all high-risk dental procedures. After two years, only high-risk patients may need to receive antibiotics for high-risk procedures.

The bacteria commonly found in the mouth may travel through the bloodstream and settle in your artificial joint. This increases your risk of contracting an infection. Ask your dentist about preventive antibiotics for all dental procedures with a high risk of bleeding or producing high levels of bacteria in your blood. Your dentist and your orthopaedic surgeon, working together, will develop an appropriate course of treatment for you.

You may need preventive antibiotics before all high-risk dental procedures if

– you had a joint replacement less than two years ago.
– you’ve had previous infections in your artificial joint.
– you have an inflammatory type of arthritis, type 1 diabetes or hemophilia.
– you have a suppressed immune system or are malnourished.
– you have a history of prior or present malignancy.

These dental procedures have a high risk of bleeding or producing high levels of bacteria in your blood:

– all dental extractions;
– all periodontal procedures;
– dental implant placement and replantation of teeth that were knocked out;
– some root canal work;
– initial placement of orthodontic bands (not brackets);
– certain specialized local anesthetic injections;
– regular dental cleanings (if bleeding is anticipated).

One of these preventive antibiotics may be prescribed for you:

– if you are not allergic to penicillin: 2 grams of amoxicillin, cephalexin or cephradine (orally) OR 2 grams of ampicillin or 1 gram of cefazolin (intramuscularly or intravenously) 1 hour before the procedure.
– if you are allergic to penicillin: 600 milligrams of clindamycin (orally or intravenously) 1 hour before the procedure.

These guidelines were developed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association. They are designed to help practitioners make decisions about preventive antibiotics for dental patients with artificial joints. They are not a standard of care or a substitute for the practitioner’s clinical judgment. Practitioners must exercise their own clinical judgment in determining whether or not preventive antibiotics are appropriate. Pediatric doses may be different.

Date of joint surgery ____________

Orthopaedic surgeon ____________

Phone number: (___)____________


   FOOTNOTES
 

Unlike other portions of JADA, this page may be clipped and copied as a handout for patients, without first obtaining reprint permission from the American Dental Association Publishing Division. Any other use, copying or distribution, whether in printed or electronic form, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent of the ADA Publishing Division.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Bone Joint Surg BrHome page
I. Uckay, D. Pittet, L. Bernard, D. Lew, A. Perrier, and R. Peter
Antibiotic prophylaxis before invasive dental procedures in patients with arthroplasties of the hip and knee
J Bone Joint Surg Br, July 1, 2008; 90-B(7): 833 - 838.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Search for Related Content

HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS