Editorial Type:
Article Category: Other
 | 
Online Publication Date: Jan 01, 2013

Antimicrobial Drugs

DDS
Page Range: 111 – 123
DOI: 10.2344/0003-3006-60.3.111
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Abstract

Antibiotics play a vital role in dental practice for managing orofacial infections. They are used to manage existing infection and they are also used as prophylaxis for certain medical conditions and surgical procedures. This article will review pharmacological and therapeutic considerations for the proper use of these agents for dental infections.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Antifungals; Dental infections; Antibiotic prophylaxis
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<bold>Figure 1</bold> .
Figure 1 .

Beta lactam structure. Penicillins and cephalosporins contain a beta lactam ring (asterisk) that conveys their antimicrobial action and is the target for microbial resistance.

<bold>Figure 2</bold> .
Figure 2 .

Managing penicillin-allergic patients.6

<bold>Figure 3</bold> .
Figure 3 .

Clavulanic acid. The molecular structure of clavulanic acid resembles that of penicillin enough to compete for beta lactamases that are secreted by resistant microorganisms. This limits the amount of enzyme available to inactivate the penicillin.

<bold>Figure 4</bold> .
Figure 4 .

Step approach to empiric antibiotic therapy.

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to Dr Daniel E. Becker, Associate Director of Education, General Dental Practice Residency, Miami Valley Hospital, One Wyoming St, Dayton, OH 45409; debecker@mvh.org.
Received: Mar 30, 2013
Accepted: May 20, 2013