The use of prophylactic antibiotics in implant dentistry is controversial. Given the known risks of antibiotic treatment and lack of consensus on using antibiotics at the time of implant insertion, the purpose of this article was to review available studies on use of perioperative prophylactic antibiotics at the time of implant placement and to provide evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic use. The reviewed studies suggest that a single preoperative dose of 2 g amoxicillin 1 hour before implant placement or 1 g amoxicillin 1 hour preoperatively and 500 mg 4 times daily 2 days postoperatively can reduce the rate of implant failure.