Comparison of the effects of preoperative oral prophylactic antibiotic (Blast prophylaxis) and five days postoperative antibiotic treatment on the prevention of infections in bony impacted mandibular third molars surgery

Surgical removal of lower third molars is a frequently performed procedure but prescribing antibiotic in third molar surgery remains controversial. This study determined the effects of preoperative and postoperative antibiotic therapy on the prevention of infections in bony impacted mandibular third molar's surgery. Methods & Materials: In a prospective study of more than 9 months, a total of 100 bony impacted lower third molars were removed. The patient didnt show any sign of inflammation, swelling and systemic disease at the time of removal. Two groups were established. The first group (n=50) received 2 gr Amoxicillin one hour preoperatively. The second group (n=50) received oral Amoxicillin 500 mg for five days post-operatively. Clinical and radiologic features were recorded for each case. All patients were recalled on the seventh day after surgery to assess the pain, swelling, amount of mouth opening, the state of the wounds and the incidence of infection. Descriptive statistics, t and Mann- whitney tests were used to analyze the data. The incidence of infection was 2% in the patients. There was no significant difference regarding the evaluated parameters between the two groups. The study showed that preoperative prophylactic antibiotic therapy in comparison with post operative oral prophylactic antibiotic treatment in the removal of lower third molars doesn’t contribute to a better wound state, less pain, decreased swelling, increased mouth opening and prevention of infection after surgery.