Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 2000/125 mg to prevent complications due to infection following completely bone-impacted lower third molar removal: a clinical trial

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid to prevent infection following completely bone-impacted lower third molar removal. Study Design A random, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial including 118 adults randomly allocated to placebo (60 patients) or antibiotic treatment (58 patients): 2 g amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanic acid 2 hours before the surgery and post-operatively twice a day for 4 days. Infection was clinically assessed until 8 weeks after surgery. Adverse events, as well as clinical and surgical variables, were recorded. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results Infections developed in five patients in the placebo group, all in the first postoperative week, and in two in the antibiotic group, both after the first week, the difference not being statistically significant ( P  = .278, number needed to treat 19 [8-∞]). There were no relationships between any variables studied and infection. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of this antibiotic treatment.