Role of antimicrobials in third molar surgery: A prospective and randomized clinical study

We evaluated the relative efficacy of two different dosing regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in mandibular third molar surgery. The study was a prospective, randomized, clinical study.

20 adult patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were randomly assigned to two groups. Split-mouth technique was used. The impacted mandibular third molar on the right side of the patient was designated as Group A and on the left side as Group B. For Group A, Tab Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid 1g (875 mg Amoxicillin + 125 mg Clavulanic acid) was given orally 1 hour preoperatively. For Group B, Tab Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid 625mg (500 mg Amoxicillin + 125 mg Clavulanic acid) three times a day was given for 5 days postoperatively starting after the surgery. Patients were recalled on the 2nd, 7th day and 6th week postoperatively for assessment of pain, swelling, trismus and presence of purulent discharge from the wound. Incidence of any other complications was also noted.

We could not find significant differences between the two groups regarding the evaluated parameters (p > 0.05). The results of our study show that both the antibiotic regimens appear to be equally effective in reducing postoperative sequelae after mandibular third molar surgery.