Will Having Eyelid Lift Surgery Cause An Infection With My Dental Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am having quite a bit of dental surgery in my mouth, two 2 dental implants were put in this past April.. Hopefully, I will be having the customized permanent titanium abutments put in next month.  After that I will be having permanent crowns put on these abutments.  When these crowns are finished, I will then be having another crown put on another tooth unrelated to my dental implants.  I am concerned about having any eyelid lift surgery so soon after my dental work.  Should I be worried?  Should I space several months in between the time I have my last dental work and my cosmetic surgery? Should I be taking an antibiotic before each the above dental procedures? How can I prevent any chance of infection from occurring in my eyes? I would so appreciate your input regarding this matter.

A: There is no solid scientific or medical evidence that would link the bacteremia that may emanate from skin surgery to causing infection around osseo-integrated dental implants, particularly when the placement of the implants were put into the bones months before. Or in reverse. I think it is unnecessary to take antibiotics before your dental procedures but that is a decision between you and your dentist. I see no connection between any of this or your family history to any risk of infectivity from having eyelid or blepharoplasty surgery, particularly since antibiotics are given during this surgery anyway.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana