An Observational Study: Use of Systemic Antibiotics for Endodontic Infections Treatment

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and habits of Romanian dentists about prescribing systemic antibiotics via oral for endodontic infection treatment.

Materials and Methods: In this study we asked Romanian dentists trough social media platforms and using Google Forms App to answer a 11 questions survey about systemic use of antibiotics (via oral) for endodontic infections. 116 dentists filled the questionnaire and the responses were considered valid. The collected data were processed statistically with the Microsoft Excel program (San 27 Francisco, USA).

Results: 116 Romanian dentists responded to this questionnaire. 53% of them prescribed oral antibiotics for 5 days, 43% for 7 days and only 3% for 3 days. In non-allergic patients the majority prescribed as a first choice antibiotic amoxicillin in association with Clavulanic acid – 54% and only 30% prescribed simple amoxicillin. The most prescribed antibiotic for patients with penicillin allergy was clindamycin (61,3 %). In cases of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis 15,5 % prescribed antibiotic. For cases of pulp necrosis with asymptomatic apical periodontitis and the presence of a sinus tract 21,7% prescribed antibiotic. Regarding the prophylactic use of antibiotics 46% of the respondents prescribed it following outdated guide lines (1 g administered 1 hour before the procedure or 1g before and 1g after the procedure), or recommended it in cases where was no need for use of antibiotics (11,7% prescribed antibiotics for patients under treatment with oral bisphosphonates).

Conclusion: The knowledge and habits of Romanian dentists about the use of antibiotics as a supportive treatment in endodontic infections must be updated and improved because many prescribe it in a wrong way or in unnecessary cases.