OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of antibiotics on postoperative inflammatory complications after surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar.

METHODSNinety-Six patients had their bilateral third molars removed through a split-mouth, double-blind, controlled, clinical trial in two visits. On one side amoxicillin (or clindamycin) was used (antibiotics group) from 1 h pre-operation to 3 d post-operation. On the other side, placebo was used (placebo group) the same time. Postoperative inflammatory complications including alveolar osteitis (AO), surgical site infection (SSI), pre-buccal site infection and anterior isthmus faucium space infection were monitored and recorded 2 d and 10 d after the surgery. The pain, swelling, and trismus were also recorded.

RESULTSAll 96 patients completed the study. Two AO (2.1%), one SSI (1.0%) and seven other infections were observed in the treatment group. Also three AO (3.1%), one SSI (1.0%) and eleven other infections were observed in the placebo group. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of various postoperative inflammatory complications and reactions between the groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference on the postoperative reaction, except pain on 10 d. Patients who had inflammatory infection recovered well with symptomatic anti-infection treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe use of amoxicillin (or clindamycin) cannot effectively prevent and reduce the postoperative inflammatory complications after surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar.