Antibiotic Therapy in Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery

This study compared three antibiotic approaches in healthy young adults undergoing surgical removal of impacted lower wisdom teeth: a single dose of antibiotics before surgery, antibiotic treatment after surgery, and no antibiotics. Participants had similar impacted lower wisdom teeth on both sides and underwent surgery in two separate sessions. The study evaluated postoperative pain, facial swelling, mouth opening, and changes in blood markers related to inflammation, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, procalcitonin, and white blood cell counts. The aim was to determine whether antibiotic use before or after surgery affected postoperative recovery and systemic inflammatory responses compared with no antibiotic use.