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Dental Antibiotics after TKR

Posted by doodles418 @doodles418, May 6, 2019

I have read that many of you take antibiotics before any dental work. I want to get back to my dental cleanings, I'm 4 months post-op from bilateral. My OS said he doesn't believe in prescribing antibiotics for dental work, but my dentist said it's the first he's heard of a DR not prescribing and would want my OS to put that in writing for him before he would do any work. Now I'm wondering what's the harm of taking them before dental work? An ounce of prevention...thanks for any replies to this.

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paisley9 | @paisley9 | Feb 25 6:27am

My surgeon says antibiotics for life. My dentist says two years post op and friend’s dentist says no longer required per recent guidance. I will take it since it is only for one day. No daily long term use and the benefits outweigh the risk.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 25 9:57am
In reply to @paisley9 "My surgeon says antibiotics for life. My dentist says two years post op and friend’s dentist..." + (show)
@paisley9

My surgeon says antibiotics for life. My dentist says two years post op and friend’s dentist says no longer required per recent guidance. I will take it since it is only for one day. No daily long term use and the benefits outweigh the risk.

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My ortho says "It's one dose for each appointment, so if it was my body, I would err on the side of caution." I have two dentists - one up North & one down South - both require premedication for life because although the risk of infection is small, but the risk of occasional antibiotics is even smaller. My sister-in-law did get a systemic infection after extensive dental work that took a long time to cure (fortunately no implants at risk).
Sue

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paisley9 | @paisley9 | Feb 25 10:01am
In reply to @sueinmn "My ortho says "It's one dose for each appointment, so if it was my body, I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My ortho says "It's one dose for each appointment, so if it was my body, I would err on the side of caution." I have two dentists - one up North & one down South - both require premedication for life because although the risk of infection is small, but the risk of occasional antibiotics is even smaller. My sister-in-law did get a systemic infection after extensive dental work that took a long time to cure (fortunately no implants at risk).
Sue

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Totally agree

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nursefran68 | @nursefran68 | Feb 25 10:43am
In reply to @kneenee "My surgeon never mentioned...perhaps I should call and ask? Did things change...TRKR, 10.12.24...?" + (show)
@kneenee

My surgeon never mentioned...perhaps I should call and ask? Did things change...TRKR, 10.12.24...?

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This issue is indeed very confusing! And if you research the literature, it's all over the place. My surgeon said to take antibiotics for cleanings during the first year postop, then after that you don't need to take them for cleanings but only for any other type of dental work. My dentist said she will not allow any work - including cleaning - without antibiotic premedication. I think better safe than sorry. As a nurse for many years, I personally do not feel comfortable having any dental work unless I premedicate. BTW, recently I had an abscessed tooth that had to be extracted. The oral surgeon had me take antibiotics for one week before the extraction, and five days following.

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snoony2 | @snoony2 | Feb 25 11:42am

I had tkr and hip replacement so I take 2000 m of ampicillin before any dental procedure for the rest of my life. If you don’t, check with your orthopedist

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