Antibiotics and Dental Treatment Gilbert, AZ
Antibiotics prior to dental treatment are recommended for those who have had a prosthetic joint (Knee, hip, shoulder replacement). Individuals who take antibiotics do so as a precaution to help reduce the risk of bacteria that is stirred up with dental treatment, by entering the blood stream and attacking the artificial joint and causing it to fail. The average time span that premedication is taken is typically 2 years following the joint replacement but it is always recommended to check with your orthopedic surgeon to see what they advise. The recommended dose of antibiotics is 2,000mg of penicillin one hour prior to the dental cleaning or any dental treatment that involves manipulation of the teeth and tissue. Therefore, it is very important that you make your dental professional aware of any joint replacements prior to them working on your teeth.
