Joint Replacement

Joint Replacement

Individuals who have undergone joint replacement surgery may be at increased risk for developing infections of their implanted joints. In severe cases, this infection can even result in the loss of bone support that helps ensure the bone fuses with the implant and might even require additional surgery to repair it.

Dental procedures, in particular, may increase the risk of infection. That’s because the most common route of a bacterial infection into the body is through broken skin. During a dental procedure (or any invasive medical procedure, for that matter), bacteria have the potential to enter the bloodstream if the tissue is broken.

To avoid serious complications, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend a course of antibiotics prior to any invasive dental procedure. We recommend contacting your surgeon several weeks before any planned dental work to discuss your risk of infection.