Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

In the context of dental procedures, systemic antibiotics are typically indicated in situations where there is a significant risk of infection or when the infection is already present and needs to be managed. However, in the case of full mouth extraction for a patient with periodontal disease, antibiotics are generally not required. This is because the management of periodontal disease primarily involves mechanical debridement and surgical intervention rather than systemic antibiotic treatment.

The underlying factors of periodontal disease, such as plaque and calculus accumulation, are better addressed through proper dental hygiene practices and periodontal therapy rather than the use of systemic antibiotics, which might not significantly alter the outcome of the surgical procedure. Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to adverse effects, including antibiotic resistance.

In contrast, situations like tooth extraction with an acute dento alveolar abscess, necrotic ulcerative gingivitis, or extraction in cases of acute pericoronitis may warrant the use of systemic antibiotics due to the presence of infection and the potential for more serious complications.