Prevalence of Postoperative Infection after Tooth Extraction: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the postoperative infection rates after tooth extraction in a university dental clinic and to identify the factors associated with an increased risk for postoperative infection. A retrospective study of case records of patients who underwent tooth extractions at the International Medical University’s Oral Health Centre (IMU-OHC) over a span of 6 years was conducted. Data on demography, patient-related factors, and treatment-related factors were extracted from the case records. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the odds ratio of a patient having a postoperative infection or not, comparing it with each variable. A total of 1821 extractions, including simple and complex extractions, were performed over 6 years. Only 25 (1.4%) of the cases were reported to have a postoperative infection. The complexity of the extraction was the only variable that significantly affected the occurrence of postoperative infection after extraction; more complex extractions were reported with higher rates of infection (binary logistic regression, OR = 2.03, p = 0.004). None of the other factors, including antibiotic prescription, had a significant influence on the occurrence of postoperative infection. The prevalence of postoperative infection after dental extractions was low in IMU-OHC, and prescribing antibiotics had no added advantage in the prevention of postoperative infection.

Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para evaluar el nivel de conocimientos y hábitos de prescripción antibiótica en cirugía oral.

“…Su relación riesgo-beneficio ha sido ampliamente discutida en la literatura científica [9][10][11][12][13] , encontrándose criterios no unificados que varían en función de la asociación científica o grupo de expertos y que han ido cambiando con el tiempo. De acuerdo con Suda y cols.…”

“…Destaca, por su gran frecuencia, la exodoncia del tercer molar incluido, a lo que se le ha unido el actual auge de la implantología dental. La bibliografía científica no avala el uso sistemático de antibióticos tras exodoncias dentales no complicadas 10 , incluso se cuestiona su administración profiláctica o postoperatoria en exodoncias o técnicas quirúrgicas más complejas 11,12 . Sin embargo, la mayoría de los profesionales tienden a prescribir antibióticos ante una cirugía o situación clínica que no lo requiere a fin de evitar posibles complicaciones infecciosas y los consecuentes problemas legales 8,[13][14][15][16] .…”

An audit of post‐operative complications following oral surgery procedures over a 3‐month period at the Eastman dental hospital, London

“…One of the more significant complications following MOS includes post‐operative infection, which has the potential to spread beyond the surgical site into the intra‐oral and extra‐oral tissue spaces. Incidences of post‐operative infections have been reported to range from around 0.8 to 2% for all extractions and around 10% following extraction of third molars according to a Cochrane review of randomised controlled trials 3 . Despite the risk of infection, the use of prophylactic antibiotics is generally not recommended in UK dentistry, as we as a profession aim to prescribe in line with the principles of antimicrobial stewardship 4 .…”

“…Incidences of post-operative infections have been reported to range from around 0.8 to 2% for all extractions and around 10% following extraction of third molars according to a Cochrane review of randomised controlled trials. 3 Despite the risk of infection, the use of prophylactic antibiotics is generally not recommended in UK dentistry, as we as a profession aim to prescribe in line with the principles of antimicrobial stewardship. 4 Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics increases the risks of colonisation and infection with resistant organisms and transmission of these organisms to other patients.…”

Clinical Microbial Identification of Severe Oral Infections by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Stockholm County: an 11-Year (2010 to 2020) Epidemiological Investigation

“…Jaw osteomyelitis and odontogenic maxillary sinusitis constitute other serious complications following odontogenic infections ( 9 , 10 ). Osteonecrosis is also frequently associated with immunosuppression ( 11 ) as well as head/neck radiation, and it can be medically induced ( 12 – 15 ).…”