Infective Endocarditis and Dental Infection

Infective endocarditis; dental focal infection; cardiac surgery; heart valve surgery; antibiotic prophylaxis; preoperative dental assessment; prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Asc.Prof Selman Dumani
University Hospital Center
“Mother Theresa”,Department of
Cardiovascular Diseases, Service
of Cardiac Surgery Dibra
Street ,No 342,Tirana,Albania
Correspondent’s e-mail:
[email protected]

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34 (04s), 17–19

Infective Endocarditis and Dental Infection

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe disease associated with high morbidity and mortality despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and cardiac surgery. The oral cavity has long been recognized as a potential source of bacteremia capable of seeding damaged native or prosthetic heart valves. Dental foci of infection—including untreated caries, periodontal disease, apical abscesses, retained roots, and peri-implant infections—may contribute to transient bacteremia, particularly during invasive dental procedures but also during routine daily activities such as tooth brushing and mastication. Current international guidelines emphasize maintaining optimal oral health rather than relying solely on antibiotic prophylaxis. This review summarizes the mechanisms linking oral disease to IE, identifies high-risk cardiac patients, discusses preoperative dental assessment before cardiac surgery, and reviews current recommendations regarding antibiotic prophylaxis.

Received-13-05-2026 Revised-20-06-2026 Accepted-28-06-2026

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