Non-impacted tooth extractions and antibiotic treatment: a RCT study

Objectives: A controlled, single-blind, randomized clinical trial was performed to evaluate usefulness of antibiotics in preventing pain and complications after tooth extractions and benefits of probiotics in reducing gastro-intestinal symptoms associated with antibiotic therapy MATERIALS AND METHODS: 159 patients were enrolled in this trial. After tooth extractions, patients were allocated to one of the groups: group 1 received post-operatively amoxicillin + clavulanic acid; group 2 received the same antibiotic therapy with an adjunctive probiotic treatment; group 3 received neither antibiotics nor probiotics. Follow-up visits were planned at 7, 14 and 21 days after tooth extractions (T1, T2 and T3) and parameters assessed were pain, presence of abscess, oedema, fever, alveolitis, trismus, pain, difficulty in daily routine activities and gastro-intestinal symptoms.

Results: The number of patients reporting pain at T1 was significantly higher in the control group when compared to group 2 (p=0.016), whilst no difference for pain intensity was observed between groups. No surgical site infection was observed in any of the groups. Intestinal symptoms seemed to be tackled by probiotic administration.

Conclusions: Pain was the most important symptom in the control group. Antibiotics were not necessary after non-impacted tooth extractions and probiotics can reduce intestinal symptoms associated with antibiotics.

Keywords: alveolar osteitis; antibiotics; infection; pain; probiotics; tooth extractions.