What are the antibiotics of choice for odontogenic infections, and how long should the treatment course last?

Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2011 Nov;23(4):519-36, v-vi. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2011.07.005.

Abstract

In the everyday practice of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, empiric antibiotics are prescribed in the face of uncertainty. Is there a highly resistant organism present? Are the old-line antibiotics no longer effective? Should a broad-spectrum antibiotic be used just to cover all the bases in this case? The surprising result of this systematic review is that when combined with appropriate surgery, the usual antibiotics are all effective. Safety and cost become the differentiating factors in this clinical decision.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / economics
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Bacterial Infections / surgery
  • Decision Making
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Costs
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Focal Infection, Dental / drug therapy
  • Focal Infection, Dental / surgery
  • Humans
  • Time Factors
  • Tooth Diseases / drug therapy
  • Tooth Diseases / microbiology*
  • Tooth Diseases / surgery

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents