Antimicrobial management of third molars: survey results for military dentists.

In a survey of military dentists to examine use of antimicrobial agents in the management of third molars, questions addressed use of antibiotics and an antimicrobial rinse in treating pericoronitis and third molar extractions. Results were compared with information from a literature review. According to the survey, a majority of clinicians use antibiotics to treat pericoronitis but not surgical extraction of asymptomatic dental impactions. About 60 percent of respondents use a preoperative rinse with chlorhexidine in treating the third molar conditions discussed. A postoperative rinse with chlorhexidine was used less frequently. Half the respondents listed medicolegal factors in their decisions.