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Endodontics and infective endocarditis – is antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis required?
Author(s) -
Brincat M.,
Savarrio L.,
Saunders W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2006.01124.x
Subject(s) - chemoprophylaxis , infective endocarditis , medicine , randomized controlled trial , intensive care medicine , endodontics , regimen , antibiotic prophylaxis , endocarditis , root canal , antibiotics , antimicrobial , dentistry , anti infective agents , surgery , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , chemistry
The purpose of this review is to evaluate the evidence implicating nonsurgical endodontic procedures in inducing infective endocarditis (IE). The literature is reviewed and findings about dental procedures that elicit bacteraemia [in particular root canal treatment (RCT)], sequelae of bacteraemia, relationship between IE and RCT and variation between antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guidelines are highlighted. At present, there is still significant debate as to which dental procedures require chemoprophylaxis and what antibiotic regimen should be prescribed. Currently, there are insufficient primary data to know whether AP is effective or ineffective against IE. Practitioners are bound by current guidelines and medico‐legal considerations. Thus, the profession requires clear, uniform guidelines that are evidence‐based.