Do You Need Antibiotics Before Dental Work If You Have a Joint Replacement?

If you’ve had a hip or knee replacement, you may have been told at some point that you need antibiotics before visiting the dentist.

That advice isn’t automatically applicable to everyone.

Current American Dental Association guidance states that, in general, preventive antibiotics are not recommended before dental procedures solely to prevent infection of a prosthetic joint.

Why does this matter?

Antibiotics are useful medications, but they aren’t risk-free and shouldn’t be used when there isn’t a clear reason.

For most patients with prosthetic joint implants, current guidance does not support routine antibiotic premedication before dental procedures. However, individual circumstances can matter.

For example, patients who have experienced complications associated with their joint replacement may require a different discussion. The ADA’s 2026 chairside tool recommends consultation with the patient and orthopedic surgeon in these situations.

What should you do before dental treatment?

Make sure your dentist knows about your joint replacement and any relevant medical history.

If there is uncertainty about whether antibiotic prophylaxis is appropriate, your dental and orthopedic teams can work together to make an individualized decision. When antibiotics are considered necessary, the ADA indicates that the orthopedic surgeon should recommend the appropriate antibiotic regimen.

At Brilliant Dental Care in Bellevue, discussing your medical history is an important part of planning appropriate dental care.

If you have a joint replacement and are unsure how it affects your upcoming dental treatment, contact Brilliant Dental Care before your appointment so your situation can be properly reviewed.