Metronidazole compared with penicillin in the treatment of acute dental infections.

The efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of acute dental infections was investigated and compared with parenteral penicillin in a controlled trial. All 37 patients in the trial responded satisfactorily and metronidazole appeared to be as effective as parenteral penicillin. A further 24 patients treated with metronidazole also responded satisfactorily. Bacteriological studies of pus obtained from 25 patients revealed the presence of many species of obligate anaerobes. Since metronidazole is only active against obligate anaerobic bacteria it is concluded that these organisms are the important pathogens in acute dental infections.