Caio Vinicius G Roman-Torres, Maryanna Andrade Mendonça, Sergio T Kussaba, Angela Paula Gaibor Duran, Ruth Maritza Duran Reyes, Mary Lou Endara Abbott, and Jose Sani Neto
The concept that invasive dental procedures may cause infective endocarditis was first suggested in 1923. With the advent of antibiotics, the idea that antibiotic prophylaxis can be used before invasive dental procedures to reduce the risk of infective endocarditis. The decision to use preoperative prophylactic antibiotics is controversial. Some researchers have written that this decision is based on the assumption that the patient does not have large medical risk factors that could affect the patient’s defense mechanisms. Various risk factors include poorly controlled diabetes, renal disease, severe alcoholism, immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. leukemia, lymphoma, or advanced malignancy), and the use of chemotherapeutic agents or other immunosuppressive drugs. The objective of the present literature review is to evaluate the current practice in cases in which antibiotic prophylaxis is necessary and essential. Antibiotics have played a key role, and have undoubtedly revolutionized many aspects of health care. However, its use and overuse has resulted in several public health problems. In addition, its risks and side effects have inadvertently, and negatively impact on the quality of life of patients. We conclude that the way antibiotic prophylaxis is used nowadays is much more precautionary than effective in protecting bacterial invasion. Randomized clinical trials are needed to see if prophylaxis assists and protects the patient or is only a medication with inadequate efficacy.
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