Can You Get Capsular Contracture from Dental Work or Surgery? Doctor Answers, Tips
Breast Augmentation: Q&A
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Can You Get Capsular Contracture from Dental Work or Surgery?

Can you get CC from other surgery and/or dental work? I have read/heard that it is recommended that someone with breast implants start a prophylactic round of antibiotics before they go to have their teeth cleaned to prevent the risk of capsular contracture? Also, does having a big surgery after breast implants increase the risk of capsular contracture? If so, why?

6 Doctor Answers | Asked by powelli in california
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Prophylactic Antibiotics important for Breast Augmentaion Patients when having Dental Work or Surgery-Capsular Contraction Risk

Dental work and surgery can cause bacteria to be released into the bloodstream. Bacteria preferentially attach to foreign bodies (breast Implants, Heart Valves etc) and can cause infection or an inflammatory reaction. Capsular Contraction around Breast Implants is an intense inflammatory reaction and infection does play a role in Capsule Formation around Breast Implants. Many doctors recommend taking Prophylactic Antibiotics if you have Breast Implants when having Dental Work or... more
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Not likely

There are anecdotal reports of capsular contracture after dental procedures. This means it has been reported as a possible link. There is no science behind it. The idea of giving women with implants antibiotics twice a year for the rest of their lives is simply ridiculous. It is a practice that increases resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and should not be done. Capsular contacture has been shown to occur in the first 3-12 months in most cases and is related to the circumstances... more
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"We take extra precautions"

There is no specific cause related to developing a capsular contracture - but it is possible for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause you to enter the bloodstream and cause your body to react to the implants and form a contracture. We take extra precautions for this by prescribing prophylactic antibiotics to take one hour before dental procedures, colonoscopies and vaginal scopes, but not surgical procedures. Smokers or being exposed to second hand smoke do have a higher... more

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It is theoretically possible

Hello, The idea behind dental work and capsule contracture is that dental work introduces bacteria into your blood stream. This in turn can lead to undetected or detectable contact between bacteria and the implant which can lead to capsule contracture. It is hard to know what the right answer is, but what we do know is that the risk is very, very, small if at all. All the best, Dr Repta
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Breast implants, dental work, and capsule contracture

Although there aren't many studies to support this, most surgeons do agree that there may be an increased risk of capsule contracture, or hardening of tissue around breast implants, after dental work or really any surgical procedure that can result in bacteria in the bloodstream. The thought is that the bacteria eventually goes to the breast implant and this leads to a "biofilm." The body gets confused and tries to heal what it thinks is an infection, and the... more
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Can You Get Capsular Contracture from Dental Work or Surgery

When having a deep dental cleaning or invasive dental work like a root canal or crown, you will have some of the bacteria from your mouth go into your blood stream. It is possible then for the bacteria to settle around any foreign body, including breast implants, which can cause an inflammatory response leading to capsular contracture. Similiarly, any time you have an infection that is not being treated, the bacteria can get into your blood stream and settle around your implants... more
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Comments (1)

ard42870 16 Jan 2013
Even though I don't have breast implants, I do have a chin implant that has become tight and painful (no swelling though) after a ROUTINE dental cleaning. I have been on antibiotics for 3 months trying to resolve it. Do yourself a favor and pre medicate prior to dental work - it could save you a lot of problems down the road. I sure wish that I did.

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