Antibiotics to protect implant after dental work

[Kodixx]

A few days ago I had a root canal on a cracked molar. Both the dentist and oral surgeon agreed it was good practice to take an antibiotic due to risk of infection, and specifically because of the implant. I was prescribed 500mg of Amoxicillin for 10 days, 3x daily. For those of you with an implant who were prescribed an antibiotic for dental work :
1) did your Dr(s) identify your implant as a specific risk related to infection ?
2) what were you prescribed and for how long ?

- Chuck

[Tuscan_Order]

Both the dentist and oral surgeon agreed it was good practice to take an antibiotic due to risk of infection, and specifically because of the implant.

How did you bring up the implant question? Had you updated your medical records with the dentist after the surgery, or did you just factually state you have a penile implant and wondered about antibiotics to prevent infection? Not sure if I would want to blurt out "BTW, my penis has an implant!" in front of the dentist and hygienist.

[AussieGuy81]

What's the relationship between getting dental work done and having a penile implant?

[GoodWood]

The concern would be the introduction of bacteria into the bloodstream via the trauma of the dental work and that bacteria could take root on the implant and cause an infection.

I asked about it regarding routine dental cleaning and was told antibiotics were unnecessary for routine dental cleaning.

But for more involved dental surgery the answer may be different. It’s always a good idea to be forthcoming with your healthcare providers so they can make informed decisions/recommendations.

[Gt1956]

No need to disclose my IPP. My dentist prescribes amoxicillin as a standard practice for root canals.

[Wodjathat]

I was told not to have any dental work for at least 6 weeks farther IPP.

My understanding is that risk of infection is very low, particularly for routine dental work, eg getting a filling.

For more evasive work the risk although minimal does increase. To err on the side of caution, I too would seriously consider taking antibiotics starting it just before the procedure.

My approach would be to see my GP before the procedure to get a script for the antibiotics. The dental team don’t need to know. Saves a bit of embarrassment.

[Jsmith194589]

A few days ago I had a root canal on a cracked molar. Both the dentist and oral surgeon agreed it was good practice to take an antibiotic due to risk of infection, and specifically because of the implant. I was prescribed 500mg of Amoxicillin for 10 days, 3x daily. For those of you with an implant who were prescribed an antibiotic for dental work :
1) did your Dr(s) identify your implant as a specific risk related to infection ?
2) what were you prescribed and for how long ?

- Chuck

My surgeon said that I could safely undergo jaw surgery 6 weeks after my revision to relocate the tubing.

[UpNorth]

Interesting

[dan_bionic]

It's normal and routine procedure, to take antibiotics before getting any surgery, also teeth surgery to avoid bacteriaemia streaming into your blood system and to avoid infection, especially while having an implant, it's crucial
Dan

[Flounder]

In reality, any prosthetic device—including artificial joints, orthopedic hardware, breast implants, catheter central lines, and especially penile implants—can become infected years after the original surgery.

A cut or skin wound, even something seemingly minor like a dental procedure, can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and seed a prosthesis. Artificial materials are vulnerable to bacterial colonization, which can form a biofilm on the device surface. Once a biofilm develops, it becomes highly resistant to both antibiotics and the body’s immune defenses. Early infections caught promptly can sometimes be cleared with antibiotics, but penile implant infections tend to be more serious and often result in device removal.

My surgeon told me that the commonly quoted 1–3% infection rate for penile implants only reflects infections occurring within the first three months after surgery. Beyond that window, any infection is generally presumed to stem from bacteria introduced later through another source. While the risk of infection drops significantly after the initial healing period, you’re never completely without risk as long as a prosthetic device remains in your body.

As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Don’t be that guy who lost his implant because he was too bashful to discuss it with medical professionals.