Antimicrobial resistance with focus on oral beta-lactamases

Over the last 10-15 yr antibiotic resistance has increased in the oral micr oflora. The beta-lactam antibiotics, i.e., penicillins and cephalosporins, are the most frequently used antimicrobial agents. Unfortunately, the effic iency of these drugs is increasingly being challenged by the emergence of r esistant bacteria, which is mainly due to their production of beta-lactamas es. In this paper, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are reviewed, with e mphasis on beta-lactamases. This review also discusses how the presence of beta-lactamases in oral microorganisms may affect the treatment of oral dis eases. Dentists can influence the emerging global crisis of antibiotic resi stance by carefully evaluating the indications for antibiotic treatment. Ge neral guidelines for when and how to use antibiotics in dentistry are revie wed.