Natural Sciences, Stomotology, 2026
ISSN: 1829-006X
ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS FOR PREVENTION OF POSTOPERATIVE INFECTIONS FOLLOWING IMPACTED TOOTH REMOVAL: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
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Submitted: 2026-04-08
© 2026 by author(s) and The Gufo Inc.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial International License
(CC BY-NC 4.0).
Abstract
Numerous controversies exist about the use of antibiotics for third molar extraction which stands as a prevalent oral
surgical intervention. The review analyzes present data about antibiotic preventative measures following procedures
involving impacted teeth extraction. Randomized trials combined with systematic reviews support that providing
antibiotics before treatment reduces infection possibilities between 34% and 66%. Patients require antibiotic
prophylaxis when their surgery involves deep impactions and belongs to older age groups with lengthy procedures
including complex surgeries. Amoxicillin along with its combination form amoxicillin/clavulanic acid continue to be
the preferred antibiotic medications but they present unique advantages and disadvantages. No research-based findings indicate that healthy patients need prophylactic medications before having uncomplicated extractions. Medical practitioners should maintain a balance between protecting patients from infection while managing antibiotic usage and evaluate individual patient characteristics for determining appropriate preventive therapies.