Delayed-onset infections after impacted lower third molar extraction: involved bacteria and sensitivity profiles to commonly used antibiotics

Amoxicillin vs third-generation cephalosporin for infection prophylaxis after third molar extraction

OBJECTIVES

Although amoxicillin is the first-line prophylactic drug for impacted mandibular third molar extraction, third-generation cephalosporins are widely prescribed in Japan. The lack of real-world evidence may be one reason for this inappropriate use. We evaluated differences in the incidence of surgical site infection between amoxicillin and third-generation cephalosporins for impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

METHODS

Using the JMDC Claims Database, we identified dental visits with fully or horizontally impacted mandibular third molar extraction from April 2015 to March 2020. One-to-one propensity-score matching was conducted between amoxicillin and third-generation cephalosporin groups. The incidence of surgical site infection following extraction was compared in the matched pairs using McNemar's test.

RESULTS

We identified 109,266 dental visits, including 39,514 (36.2%) patients who received amoxicillin and 69,752 (63.8%) patients who received third-generation cephalosporins. In the 39,514 matched pairs, the incidence of surgical site infection was 3.5% (n = 1399) for amoxicillin group and 3.7% (n = 1467) for third-generation cephalosporin group (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Amoxicillin was associated with a lower incidence of surgical site infection after impacted mandibular third molar extraction compared with third-generation cephalosporins. This result supports current guidelines and strengthens the importance of disseminating and implementing antimicrobial resistance control in dentistry.

Risk Factors for Delayed-Onset Infection after Mandibular Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most commonly performed procedures by oral maxillofacial surgeons. Delayed-onset infection (DOI) is a rare complication of wisdom tooth extraction, and it occurs ~1–4 weeks after the extraction. In the present study, risk factors for DOI were investigated by retrospectively analyzing the cases of 1400 mandibular wisdom tooth extractions performed at Kagawa University Hospital from April 2015 to June 2022. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >15 years with a wisdom tooth extraction per our procedure. The exclusion criteria were patients with insufficient medical records, a >30-mm lesion around the wisdom tooth shown via X-ray, colonectomy, radiotherapy treatment of the mandible, the lack of panoramic images, and lesions other than a follicular cyst. The DOI incidence was 1.1% (16 cases), and univariate analyses revealed that the development of DOI was significantly associated with the Winter classification (p = 0.003), position (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.011), and hemostatic agent use (p = 0.004). A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that position (OR = B for A, 7.75; p = 0.0163), hypertension (OR = 7.60, p = 0.013), and hemostatic agent use (OR = 6.87, p = 0.0022) were significantly associated with DOI development. Hypertension, hemostatic use, and position were found to be key factors for DOI; long-term observation may thus be necessary for patients with these risk factors.

[Prevention of inflammatory complications after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars]

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory complications are the most prevalent problems after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars. The main options for prevention are prophylactic antibiotics usage before surgery or in the postoperative period; a method of postoperative management of a tooth socket, implying healing by primary or secondary closure. Each of the postoperative management types has advantages and disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to compare complete suturing versus iodoform gauze packing of tooth socket for prevention of inflammatory complications after mandibular third molar removal.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed. The medical records of 273 patients who underwent mandibular third molar extraction for orthodontic indications were analyzed. Data of 100 patients were included, in 50 cases the postoperative management was carried out using iodoform packing, in other 50 cases complete suturing was performed. Depending on the type of data and distribution, we used the chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test. A p<0.05 was needed to achieve statistical significance.

RESULTS

Alveolitis developed in 8 % cases of iodoform gauze packing and 34% cases of suturing. The differences are statistically significant (p=0.003). The total rehabilitation period (days) in patients with no alveolitis using iodoform gauze packing was 8 (7; 31) (Me (Q1; Q3)), using complete socket suturing was 7 (7; 8) (Me (Q1; Q3)), the differences are statistically significant (p=0.003).

CONCLUSION

The best option for the prophylaxis of alveolitis after surgical extraction of mandibular third molar is secondary closure using iodoform gauze packing. However, in the cases with no alveolitis when complete suturing was performed, healing occurred much faster, which justifies the development of an alternative method for third molar socket healing.

Delayed-onset infections after lower third molar surgery: a Hungarian case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Delayed-onset infection is defined as infectious swelling and trismus accompanied by pain or the presence of suppuration starting approximately 30 days after surgery. This study aimed to describe the occurrence and potential predisposing factors of delayed-onset infection.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective case-control study of 223 lower third molar surgeries was performed. Participants were selected from among 1102 outpatients who underwent surgery between January 2013 and June 2018 at Semmelweis University. The inclusion criterion for the case group was inflammation of the operated area after suture removal. Patients in the control group were healthy nonsmokers <26 years old who healed without complication. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Complications occurred only in patients <26 years old approximately 29.5 days after surgery. A significantly higher risk was observed for younger age, total soft tissue coverage, deeper impaction, lower Nolla stage (P < .001), mesioangular direction (P = .002), and full bone coverage (P < .05). Distal space was inversely correlated with complications (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower Nolla stage, total soft tissue coverage, lack of distal space, deeper impaction, or mesioangular tilt may promote delayed-onset infection. Follow-up of at-risk patients and the maintenance of oral hygiene are recommended.

A New Type of Chronic Wound Infection after Wisdom Tooth Extraction: A Diagnostic Approach with 16S-rRNA Gene Analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing, and Bioinformatics

Delayed-onset infections are rare postoperative complications of lower third molar extractions. This article presents a case of a chronic combined hard and soft tissue infection after the extraction of a third molar, where the causative organisms could only be elucidated by molecular methods. Experimental 16S-rRNA gene analysis with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics was used to identify the bacterial spectrum of the infection. 16S-rRNA gene analysis delivered the microbiome of the abscessing inflammation while standard culture and laboratory examinations were all sterile. The microbiome showed a mixed bacterial infection with a dominance of Delftia and Alcanivorax (spp.) besides other bacteria of the normal oral flora. Using 16S-rRNA-gene analysis, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics, a new type of chronic wound infection after wisdom tooth extraction was found. The property of Delftia and Alcanivorax (spp.) as water-affine environmental bacteria raises suspicion of infection from contaminated water from a dental unit. Thus, osteotomies of teeth should only be done with sterile cooling water. The 16S-rRNA gene analysis should become a part of the routine diagnostics in medical microbiology.

Risk factors for lingual plate fracture during mandibular third molar extraction

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to predict the risk of lingual plate fracture during mandibular third molar (M3) extraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data from 264 mandibular M3s (erupted and impacted) from 264 patients (104 males and 160 females; age range, 17-75 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Lingual plate thicknesses at the levels of the mid-root and root apex of the M3s were measured and defined as "thicker" (bone thicker than 1 mm), "thinner" (bone thinner than 1 mm), or "perforated" (bone perforated by the M3 root). These measurements were correlated with potential risk factors for thinner and perforated lingual plates: tooth position of the mandibular M3, morphology of the lingual plate, and patient characteristics (age and sex).

RESULTS

The mean thickness of the lingual plate was 1.49 ± 1.38 mm at the mid-root of the M3s, and 2.35 ± 2.03 mm at the root apex. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that mesioangularly and horizontally impacted M3s were significantly associated with thinner and perforated lingual plates at the mid-root (P < 0.001), whereas the M3s in infra-occlusion positions (in infra-occlusion when compared with the adjacent second molar) had thinner lingual bone at the root apex (P = 0.022 and P = 0.027, depending on the level of impaction). Female patients were less likely to have lingual plate perforation (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Mesioangulation, infra-occlusion, and male sex were risk factors for lingual plate fracture.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

When the risk of lingual plate fracture is high, a sufficiently large flap, osteotomy, and tooth section by bur or piezosurgery are recommended to create a good operative field and avoid excessive pressure on the lingual plate.

Does the use of amoxicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in third molar surgery reduce the risk of postoperative infection? A systematic review with meta-analysis

The objectives of this systematic review were to investigate the efficacy of amoxicillin/amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for reducing the risk of postoperative infection after third molar surgery and to evaluate the adverse outcomes in these patients, as well as in healthy volunteers. A systematic search of four databases was performed on May 26, 2017. Eleven studies qualified for the qualitative analysis and eight were found suitable for meta-analysis. The results suggest that both amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and amoxicillin significantly reduce the risk of infection after third molar extraction (overall relative risk (RR) 0.25, P<0.001). However, with the exclusion of randomized controlled trials with a split-mouth design (due to an inadequate crossover period after antibiotic treatment), only amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was found to be effective (RR 0.21, P<0.001). The risk of adverse effects was significantly higher in the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid group (RR=4.12, P=0.023) than in the amoxicillin group (RR 1.57, P=0.405). In conclusion, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and amoxicillin may significantly reduce the risk of infection after third molar extraction. However, their use in third molar surgery should be viewed with caution, as recent clinical trials on healthy volunteers have shown evidence of the negative impact of amoxicillin use on bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance.

An Observational Cohort Study on Delayed-Onset Infections after Mandibular Third-Molar Extractions

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and clinical features of delayed-onset infections after mandibular third-molar extractions.

Method and Materials

An observational cohort study was conducted on 179 patients undergoing mandibular third-molar extraction between January 2013 and December 2015, for a total of 217 extractions. Data were recorded at the time of extraction (T₀), on suture removal seven days later (T₁), and 30 days after the extraction, when patients were contacted and asked about their healing process (T₂). The statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. A p value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Eight delayed-onset infections were recorded, amounting to 3.7% of all extractions. The median time elapsing from the extraction to the delayed-onset infection was 35 days (IQR 28–40; min 24–max 49). Younger age and longer surgical procedures seemed to be more often associated with this complication.

Conclusion

Delayed-onset infections after third-molar extractions are relatively rare postoperative complications characterized by a swelling, usually with a purulent discharge. Patients should be informed of this possibility, which might develop even several weeks after the extraction.

Oral soft tissue infections: causes, therapeutic approaches and microbiological spectrum with focus on antibiotic treatment

INTRODUCTION

Intraoral soft tissue infections (OSTI) are a common problem in dentistry and oral surgery. These abscesses are mostly exacerbated dental infections (OIDC), and some emerge as postoperative infections (POI) after tooth extraction (OITR) or apicoectomy (OIRR). The main aim of this study was to compare OIDC with POI, especially looking at the bacteria involved. An additional question was, therefore, if different antibiotic treatments should be used with OSTI of differing aetiologies. The impact of third molars on OSTI was evaluated and also the rates of POI after removal of third molars were specified.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patient data was collected from the patients' medical records and the results were statistically evaluated with SPSS (SPSS version 21.0; SPSS, IBM; Chicago, IL, USA). The inclusion criterion was the outpatient treatment of a patient with an exacerbated oral infection; the exclusion criteria were an early stage of infiltration without abscess formation; and a need for inpatient treatment.

RESULTS

Periapical exacerbated infections, especially in the molar region were the commonest cause of OIDC. In the OITR group, mandibular tooth removal was the commonest factor (p=0.016). Remarkably, retained lower wisdom teeth led to significant number of cases in the OITR group (p=0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study we could not define differences between the causal bacteria found in patients with OIDC and POI. Due to resistance rates we conclude that amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid seems to be the antibiotic standard for exacerbated intraoral infections independent of their aetiology.

Risk of wound infection and safety profile of amoxicillin in healthy patients which required third molar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the risk of surgical wound infection and the adverse effects of amoxicillin in healthy patients who required excision of third molars. We identified eligible reports from searches of PubMed, Medline®, the Cochrane Library, Imbiomed, LILACS, and Google Scholar. Studies that met our minimum requirements were evaluated using inclusion and exclusion criteria and the Oxford Quality Scale. Those with a score of 3 or more on this Scale were included and their data were extracted and analysed. For evaluation of the risk of infection the absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, and 95% CI were calculated. For evaluation of the risk of an adverse effect the absolute risk increase, number needed to harm, and 95% CI were calculated using the Risk Reduction Calculator. Each meta-analysis was made with the help of the Mantel-Haenszel random effects model, and estimates of risk (OR) and 95% CI were calculated using the Review Manager 5.3, from the Cochrane Library. A significant risk was assumed when the lower limit of the 95% CI was greater than 1. Probabilities of less than 0.05 were accepted as significant. The results showed that there was no reduction in the risk of infection when amoxicillin was given before or after operation compared with an untreated group or placebo. In conclusion, this study suggests that amoxicillin given prophylactically or postoperatively does not reduce the risk of infection in healthy patients having their third molars extracted.