Frequently Asked Questions About Antibiotics in Endodontics

Dr. Rick Schwartz, Dr. Rick Davis, and Dr. Zac Liang at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio sometimes prescribe antibiotics for  patients for infections or sometimes as premedication for certain medical conditions. Infection and  tooth abscesses sometimes develop when dental injuries, decay, or trauma are not promptly treated. Not all patients need treatment with antibiotics. 

What treatment will I need?

All therapies at our office in San Antonio, Texas, start with an examination. Our doctors will evaluate your situation and develop a treatment plan to address your specific needs. The most common treatment at our office is root canal treatment, but sometimes surgery is necessary. These procedures remove the infected tissues, eliminate the source of infection and relieve your pain. The health of the tooth is restored. In addition to specific treatments, we may recommend a variety of drugs depending on your situation.   These may include analgesics to help to manage pain and other medications to manage swelling and other symptoms.

Antimicrobial rinses and antibiotics can help to treat the underlying source of the infection, the bacteria. In some cases we will want to get the condition under control before moving forward with treatment.  

When would antibiotics be appropriate for patients?

We generally try to avoid prescribing antibiotics, because the more you take them the less effective they become.  We want them to be effective if at some time in your life you should develop a serious or even life threatening infection.

We sometimes prescribe a single dose of an antibiotic to be taken an hour before treatment for patients with certain medical conditions.  This is referred to as premedication.   The most common patients who receive premedication have certain heart conditions, diabetes or a compromised immune system.  We will discuss your medical history and current situation at the start of your first appointment.

We also prescribe antibiotics for patients with overt signs of infection such as swelling or fever.Antibiotics may be appropriate for patients whose infections have spread, but  may not be necessary for patients whose infections are localized. Antibiotic therapy can help to prevent the spread of infection. Candidates include those patients whose infections have spread to nearby teeth or other parts of the jaw and face. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to patients with weakened immune systems caused by other health conditions. We evaluate your medical history and overall health to determine the best course of action.

What should I know about any antibiotics that are prescribed to me?

If antibiotics are indicated, we will discuss your specific situation with you. For antibiotics to be effective, it is important to take them exactly as prescribed.  This will also help avoid undesirable side effects development of resistance, a major global public health concern.  

Contact Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio for prompt and appropriate treatment. Call (210) 405-0473 to schedule an appointment at our office in San Antonio, TX today.