Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 7/3/2009

Question
Hi Dr. Backlund,

  I'm wondering when a patient has an infection on a bone, and needs a root canal, like right after the root canal procedure, does every patient that has an infection on the bone need some sort of antibiotic to help fight the infection? Or can the root canal be done with, and the infection can go away on its own without the need of antibiotics?

And is amoxcillin a good type of antibiotic to fight these infections on the bone? Is it strong enough to fight the infection?  

Answer
Hi Lauren,

We do not routinely prescribe antibiotics after root canal treatment. Once the source of the problem is removed, the body can heal very well on it's own. We only use antibiotics to treat active infections that cause pain & swelling.

Amoxicillin is usually our frist choice for dental infections. It works great in the majority of cases.

Hope this answers your questions.

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD