Besides analgesics, antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs in dental offices. In his presentation, Dr. Markus Tröltzsch explains the mode of action of antibiotics, and highlights their indications and side effects. Antibiotics may exhibit bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity. Bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by interfering with the transcriptional or translational process.

In doing so, they prevent further growth of a bacterial colony. By contrast, bactericidal antibiotics damage the murein layer of the bacterial cell wall, so that the germ is destroyed instantly. As a consequence, the effect of bactericidal antibiotics occurs much faster. A frequently used representative of this group is the aminopenicillin amoxicillin, which often is used in combination with clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor.

However, clindamycin (bacteriostatic effective Lincosamin) and erythromycin (bacteriostatic) are prescribed increasingly. They are especially used in patients who show allergic reactions to penicillin or for the treatment during pregnancy. In general, in connection with dental treatments, the use of antibiotics is geared towards the mixed flora present in the oral cavity. In the dental practice, antibiotics are used not only for the treatment of bacterial infections, but also for the prevention of infective endocarditis.