Treatment

Treatment

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease.  Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues.  When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!

If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended.  You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planning (deep cleaning) will be recommended.  It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb.  In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planning).  This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.  Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.

If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.  Your dentist may also recommend that you see a Periodontist.

Although scaling and root planing (SRP) is effective at reducing plaque and some bacteria, it doesn't kill all of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. SRP is a mechanical procedure and the instruments used to perform SRP cannot always reach the bacteria that reside at the bottom of deep or difficult-to-reach periodontal pockets. For these pockets, dental professionals often add a locally administered antibiotic (LAA) such as ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1mg to the SRP procedure.

This comprehensive approach provides patients with two therapies that work simultaneously (ARESTIN® + SRP) to help kill the harmful bacteria that cause periodontal disease-so that the infection becomes more easily managed and won't immediately return.

Infected areas in your gums

Infected pockets inside your gums require treatment before periodontal disease causes further damage. ARESTIN® is indicated as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. ARESTIN® may be used as part of a periodontal maintenance program which includes good oral hygiene, and SRP.

Adding ARESTIN®

ARESTIN® is a small amount of powder that is easily applied by a dental professional:


 

  • Clinical studies show that ARESTIN® plus SRP is more effective than SRP alone at shrinking the size of infected periodontal pockets, killing the bacteria associated with periodontal disease, and reducing bleeding on probing of the gums
  • ARESTIN® remains in the pocket for up to 21 days—to help ensure continued treatment
  • ARESTIN® is safe and easy for your dental professional to administer


 

 

 


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