Dental Implants Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dental Implants, including details on dentistry, surgery, tooth implants.

Clindamycin in dentistry: more than just effective prophylaxis for endocarditis?

Brook I, Lewis MA, Sándor GK, Jeffcoat M, Samaranayake LP, Vera Rojas J

Georgetown University School of Medicine, USA.

Clindamycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with activity against aerobic, anaerobic, and beta-lactamase-producing pathogens. This antibiotic has been used for many years as prophylactic treatment during dental procedures to prevent endocarditis. However, the spectrum and susceptibility of the bacteria species involved in dental infections indicate that clindamycin would also be an effective treatment option for these conditions. In addition to its antiinfective properties, clindamycin has high oral absorption, significant tissue penetration, including penetration into bone, and stimulatory effects on the host immune system. This review discusses the microbiologic and clinical evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of clindamycin for the successful management of dental infections.

Published 24 October 2005 in Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 100(5): 550-8.
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