Antibiotic use for irreversible pulpitis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Irreversible pulpitis, which is characterised by acute and intense pain, is one of the most frequent reasons that patients attend for emergency dental care. Apart from removal of the tooth, the customary way of relieving the pain of irreversible pulpitis is by drilling into the tooth, removing the inflamed pulp (nerve) and cleaning the root canal. However, a significant number of dentists continue to prescribe antibiotics to stop the pain of irreversible pulpitis.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of systemic antibiotics for irreversible pulpitis.
SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (to 5 September 2013); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 9); MEDLINE via OVID (1946 to 5 September 2013); EMBASE via OVID (1980 to 5 September 2013) and the US National Institutes of Health Trials Register (http://clinicaltrials.gov). There were no language restrictions in the searches of the electronic databases.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials which compared pain relief with systemic antibiotics and analgesics, against placebo and analgesics in the acute preoperative phase of irreversible pulpitis.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors screened studies and extracted data independently. We assessed the quality of the evidence of included studies using GRADEPro software. Pooling of data was not possible and a descriptive summary is presented.
MAIN RESULTS:…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 40 participants or records.
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