AAE Position Statement: AAE Guidance on the Use of Systemic Antibiotics in Endodontics.

The spectrum of endodontic pathosis includes many conditions for which dentists and endodontists determine that it is appropriate to prescribe antibiotics. Some of these conditions involve purely an inflammatory reaction, and some involve various stages of infection. This infection may be localized to the pulp and periapical tissues, and it may be spreading to regional lymph nodes, or systemically. This document is intended to present the available evidence related to prescribing antibiotics, highlight appropriate clinical recommendations and identify gaps in knowledge for which personal judgment is the best guide for assessing risks and benefits in this practice.