Endodontics in the adult patient: the role of antibiotics.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to review the published work on the indications and efficacy for antibiotics in endodontic therapy.

DATA SOURCES: Published works in the medical and dental literature.

STUDY SELECTION: Evaluation of published clinical trials in endodontic and other pertinent literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotics are not routinely indicated in the practice of endodontics. Therapeutic antibiotics may be required as an adjunct to operative treatment when there is pyrexia and/or gross local swelling; they are only rarely indicated in the absence of operative intervention. Prophylactic antibiotics may be required for certain patients who are susceptible to serious infective sequaelae.