Palwasha Momand
Lecturer

Presentation

Research area: Antibiotic prophylaxis in dental implant surgery

My research focuses on the use of antibiotics to prevent infections in dental implant surgery. Dental implants are a widely used treatment for replacing missing teeth, involving the surgical placement of an implant into the jawbone to support an artificial tooth.

Antibiotics are frequently administered before implant surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative infections and implant failure. However, the scientific evidence supporting the routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis remains limited, particularly in healthy patients undergoing uncomplicated implant procedures. My research aims to investigate whether the potential benefits of preventive antibiotic treatment outweigh the associated risks.

My previous research has explored the clinical effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis, prescribing practices among dentists, and the factors influencing their decisions to prescribe antibiotics. My ongoing research focuses on more complex implant procedures, particularly those involving simultaneous bone augmentation, where the evidence regarding the benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis is still insufficient.

An important aspect of my research is the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to the development of resistant bacteria, posing a serious challenge to modern healthcare. It is therefore essential to ensure that antibiotics are prescribed only when there is a clear clinical benefit.

My broader research interests include antibiotic use in dentistry, evidence-based prescribing practices, and the development of strategies to promote responsible antibiotic use and help combat antibiotic resistance.