Statement Regarding Dental Work Prophylaxis

Having dental work and a previous or impending joint replacement (hip/knee/shoulder) can lead to a variety of questions and concerns. People may have heard something years ago or comments from friends and family that antibiotics are required. Common questions include:

How close before or after my joint replacement is it okay to have dental work?
Do I need antibiotics for when I have dental work after a joint replacement?

The short answer is no. In general, one should be in optimal oral health prior to undergoing any total joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder) and maintain good oral health both before and after surgery. If you have pending dental work ie. tooth extractions, crowns, route canals, etc. it is generally best to have them completed at minimum 6 weeks prior to your joint replacement, or wait at least 12 weeks after surgery is completed. There are no specific guidelines regarding this timing. In general, antibiotic prophylaxis is NOT required for routine cleaning and the majority of dental work. In patients whom are immunocompromised consideration may be given for antibiotic prophylaxis. If there is the possibility of significant dental bony work to be done prophylaxis may be warranted and can be discussed with your surgeon. If there is an active dental infection this should be treated appropriately by your dentist.