Evaluation of the effect of preoperative amoxicillin on bacteremia associated with exodontia in periodontal and periapical pathology

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative prophylactic antibiotics of 2 g of oral amoxicillin on bacteremia following extraction of teeth with periodontal and periapical pathology. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 160 patients. The patients were divided into four groups of forty patients each: two antibiotic groups, with periodontal and periapical pathology, receiving 2 g of oral amoxicillin preoperatively and two control groups, with periodontal and periapical pathology, receiving no amoxicillin preoperatively. Blood samples were collected before the start of the procedure, intraoperatively, and immediately following extraction of teeth. The collected blood samples were cultured and studied for bacterial growth. Results: In the control group patients with periodontal pathology, 17 out of 40 blood samples showed growth of Streptococcus viridans along with Staphylococcus epidermidis. In the control group patients with periapical pathology, 14 out of 40 blood samples showed growth of S. viridans and Staphylococcus aureus. No growth was observed in both the groups on prophylactic antibiotics with 2 g of oral amoxicillin. Conclusion: Bacteremia was found in 40% of the control group patients, while there was no bacteremia present in patients with preoperative administration of 2 g of oral amoxicillin.