From the Guidelines
The duration of treatment for a maxillary abscess should be at least 10- to 14-day course of antibiotics to ensure complete eradication of the organism and prevent relapse. This recommendation is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which suggests that treatment should continue for 7 days after the patient is well 1. The treatment typically starts with amoxicillin for 3 to 5 days, and if the patient's symptoms are improving, this treatment is continued until the patient is well for 7 days.
Key Considerations
- The choice of antibiotic may need to be adjusted if the patient does not show improvement after 3 to 5 days, with options including high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate or cefuroxime axetil 1.
- It is crucial for patients to complete the full course of antibiotics as instructed to prevent relapse and ensure complete eradication of the infection.
- Alongside antibiotic therapy, dental intervention such as drainage, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction is usually necessary to eliminate the source of infection.
- Pain management with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate symptoms during treatment.
- Additional relief can be achieved with warm salt water rinses several times daily.
- Close monitoring is necessary, and if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, further medical evaluation is required.
From the Research
Duration of Treatment for Maxillary Sinus Abscess
The duration of treatment for a maxillary sinus abscess can vary depending on the antibiotic used and the severity of the infection.
- A study published in 1998 2 found that a 14-day course of amoxicillin and clavulanate was effective in treating acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
- Another study from 1992 3 compared the efficacy of cefuroxime axetil and amoxicillin/clavulanate in treating acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis, with a treatment duration of 10 days.
- A 2005 study 4 found that a 5-day course of telithromycin was as effective as a 10-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate or cefuroxime axetil in treating acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
- Other studies have also investigated the efficacy of different antibiotics and treatment durations, including a 1999 study 5 that compared cefuroxime axetil and amoxicillin/clavulanate over a 10-day treatment period, and a 2003 study 6 that found 5 or 10 days of telithromycin to be as effective as 10 days of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in treating acute maxillary sinusitis.
Treatment Duration Options
Based on the available evidence, treatment duration options for maxillary sinus abscess include: