Arestin® Antibiotics

Chronic periodontitis, an infection of the gums, can be a threat to your oral health and cause tooth loss and has now been linked to other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and low birth weight in infants.

Periodontal (gum) disease takes hold when bacteria from dental plaque build up on your teeth and under your gums due to insufficient brushing and flossing. Inflammation occurs, making the gums red and swollen, and, if left untreated, causes damage to the ligaments and bone, which anchor your teeth in place. Pockets then develop between the gum tissue and the teeth. Left untreated, the pockets deepen, eventually leading to the loss of teeth.

Our doctors and hygienist measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth using a hand-held instrument and also consult your dental x-rays to determine whether your gums and the bone beneath them are healthy or are suffering from periodontal disease.

Periodontal deep scaling and root planing have always been the treatments used to help reach under the gum tissue and clean the root surface in an effort to control periodontal disease. Learn more about Periodontal Deep Scaling and Root Planing.

Now, our doctors have an additional weapon that has been proven more effective than scaling and root planing alone. Arestin Microspheres (minocycline HCl) is a powder-like antibiotic that easily and effectively kills the germs that cause periodontal disease. Administered in conjunction with a regular regimen of scaling and root planing, Arestin has been found to significantly reduce the depth of infected pockets and helps to prevent the progression of the disease. Further, Arestin has been shown to be especially effective in treating periodontal disease in those who present complicating factors, such as smokers and those with cardiovascular disease.

Arestin is placed in the gum pocket subgingivally, meaning within the pocket under the gum, following scaling and root planing. Encapsulated in tiny microspheres so small the medication looks like a powder, treatment with Arestin is fast and easy and causes no discomfort. Arestin doesn't require bandages and won't leak or fall out from under your gum. It's absorbed by the body and there is no need to return to our office to have it removed. And, Arestin has been shown to maintain its therapeutic effect for up to 21 days.

Through proper home oral care and regular professional dental hygiene combined with Arestin therapy, our doctors and hygienist can help you to restore and maintain your best possible periodontal and overall oral health.