Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not necessary during operations to remove third molars

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis during removal of impacted third molars. We studied. 150 patients with impacted mandibular or maxillary third molars who were divided randomly into three groups. The first was given amoxicillin 2 g combined with clavulanic acid, orally daily for 5 days postoperatively; starting at the end of the operation. The second group was given the same drugs but the regimen started 5 days before the operation. The third was given no antibiotics. Pain, infection, swelling, alveolar osteitis, and interincisal mouth opening (mm) were evaluated. There were no significant differences among the groups in the incidence of these complications. We cannot recommend routine oral antibiotic prophylaxis in third molar surgery. (C) 2006 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.