Intravenous Antibiotic: Potential Alternative for Restricted Oral Route during Removal of Third Molar

Dear Sir,

Third molar popularly called as wisdom tooth has been a prime concern for oral and maxillofacial surgeons owing to its associated problems. The failure to erupt in oral cavity, because of mechanical obstruction leads to impaction (fusion) of tooth with jaw bone. Conservative care of the impacted tooth is not feasible, considering its unfavourable anatomy. Thus surgical removal of tooth remains the gold standard for impacted teeth. Furthermore, a host of factors such as occurrence of pericoronitis (localised infection surrounding wisdom tooth), secondary caries and debris lodgement complicate the scenario thereby requiring prompt service. Irrespective of the strict protocols undertaken, post-operative complications (alveolar osteitis and wound infection) have been reported in candidates.1 In order to control the wound infection, oral clinicians have been pushed to administer antibiotic via oral or intravenous route. Literature contains ample evidence on the former mode of delivery with an unclear summary.1 Meanwhile, neither a controversy prevails nor do valid documents exist on intravenous antibiotics. Less has been discussed on the impact of IV antibiotics in dental tributaries. This could be the possible reason for being unpopular among oral physicians. Current letter addresses the indications of IV antibiotics during third molar surgery to restore its unsupported preference. Read more…