Guidelines for antibiotic premedication prior to dental procedures are constantly changing. As such, we recommend patients consult with their physician regarding their individual case in order to decide what is best for them. Current guidelines for antibiotic premedication are as follows:
- prosthetic cardiac valve or prosthetic material used for cardiac valve repair
- a history of infective endocarditis
- a cardiac transplant that develops cardiac valvulopathy
- the following congenital (present from birth) heart disease:
- unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits
- a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure
- any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device (that inhibit endothelialization)