Antimicrobial Use in Implant Therapy: Is It Necessary?

With edentulism becoming more prevalent in society, the placement of implants has likewise become more common. With implant placement, however, comes the risk of implant failure and infection, whether from mechanical or biological complications. Antibiotic use in dentistry is commonly prescribed; however, with respect to dental implants, debate has persisted about its efficacy, with some researchers and practitioners questioning if it serves any tangible purpose. Antibiotics have been shown to aid in durability of the implant and help with treatment of infection, also known as peri-implantitis, however the criteria regarding which antibiotics to prescribe for implant therapy and when, along with determining their efficacy prophylactically, remain largely unclear. This article discusses the evolution of implant therapy as well as complications that arise from implant placement and investigates the efficacy of antimicrobial use both prophylactically and postoperatively in the presence of infection.