The effect of preoperative clindamycin in reducing early oral implant failure: a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial

Objectives To assess the effect of preoperative oral clindamycin in reducing early implant failure in healthy adults undergoing conventional implant placement. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in accordance with the ethical principles and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. We included healthy adults who underwent a single oral implant without previous infection of the surgical bed or the need for bone grafting. They were randomly treated with a single dose of oral clindamycin (600 mg) 1 h before surgery or a placebo. All surgical procedures were performed by one surgeon. A single trained observer evaluated all patients on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56. Early dental implant failure was defined as the loss or removal of an implant for any reason. We recorded the clinical, radiological, and surgical variables, adverse events, and postoperative complications. The study outcomes were statistically analysed to evaluate differences between the groups. Furthermore, we calculated the number required to treat or harm (NNT/NNH). Results Both the control group and clindamycin group had 31 patients each. Two implant failures occurred in the clindamycin group (NNH = 15, p = 0.246). Three patients had postoperative infections, namely two placebo-treated and one clindamycin-treated, which failed (relative risk: 0.5, CI: 0.05-5.23, absolute risk reduction = 0.03, confidence interval: - 0.07-0.13, NNT = 31, CI: 7.2-infinity, and p = 0.5). One clindamycin-treated patient experienced gastrointestinal disturbances and diarrhoea. Conclusions Preoperative clindamycin administration during oral implant surgery in healthy adults may not reduce implant failure or post-surgical-complications.

Automated summary

This study found that preoperative oral clindamycin administration during dental implant surgery in healthy adults may not reduce early implant failure or postoperative complications.