In a long-awaited update, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) revised guidance on dental procedures for patients undergoing hip or knee replacement.
The groups found little evidence that prophylactic antibiotics before dental work reduce periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) risk, and limited evidence that routine preoperative dental screening lowers infection rates.
Updated timing recommendations include:
After arthroplasty:
- Non- or minimally invasive dental procedures may proceed after 1 day.
- Invasive procedures (e.g., extractions, oral surgery) should be delayed 3 months.
Before arthroplasty:
- Wait 3 weeks after invasive dental procedures or resolution of dental infection.
- Minimally invasive procedures require only a 1-week interval.
Many recommendations are based on limited evidence or expert opinion, and the organizations call for further research to refine future guidance.
More information can be found at: https://www.aaos.org/quality/quality-programs/implant-infections-in-patients-undergoing-dental-procedures/