Effect of Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics on Primary Teeth Enamel Microhradness and Marginal Adaptation of Glass Ionomer Restoration: An In Vitro Study"

Abstract

The enamel of primary teeth is less mineralized than that of permanent teeth and the density of its outermost layer is lesser. So, it is more susceptible to erosion than permanent teeth. When children were exposed to different acidic challenges either dietary substances or medical syrups, their teeth were severely affected. Erosion in primary teeth may be associated with dental hypersensitivity, loss of the occlusal vertical dimension, poor esthetics, pulp exposure, pain and abscesses. These problems badly affect the eating ability of children and harm their growth and development. In addition, the chronic administration of the acidic drugs may increase the incidence of caries and gingivitis in children and also may have negative effect on the integrity of dental restoration. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the erosive effect of the antibiotics that were commonly prescribed by Egyptian pediatricians on primary teeth enamel and also to determine their effect on the integrity of dental restoration. This study was two parts, a questionnaire and an invitro part. The questionnaire was conducted in two hospitals in Egypt (Qena public hospital and Aldemrdash hospital) to determine the three most commonly prescribed antibiotics by Egyptian Pediatricians. These antibiotics were Suprax, E-moxclav and Duricef. For this questionnaire it was concluded that there was unwise prescription of antibiotics in Egypt and many of the pediatricians didn’t follow the guidelines of prescription. Patient pressure was also a major factor for prescription. That in fact will increase the antibiotic resistance and lead to increase rather than decrease the infection.