Dental X-ray status of patients admitted for total hip replacement.

The dental status of 50 patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) was evaluated. Fourteen of the patients had no teeth. The teeth of the remaining 36 patients were in poor condition. Decay was severe in 12. Periapical infectious foci were evident in the panoramic radiographs of 24 patients. Nearly all of the 36 patients with teeth had advanced periodontal disease, as evidenced by horizontal and vertical destruction of alveolar bone. Thirty-four of the 36 dentate patients were considered to be at risk of bacteraemia because of their dental condition. The study shows the value of preoperative dental examination and treatment of patients undergoing THR. It is not clear if prophylatic antibiotic treatment is needed when patients who have undergone THR receive dental treatment.