Topical Antibiotic Therapy

Antibiotic Therapy Dental in Middletown, CT

If periodontal disease is not treated, it can worsen and lead to severe inflammation and tooth loss. To prevent this, antibiotic treatments can be used in conjunction with scaling and root planning, curettage, surgery, or as a standalone treatment. These antibiotics help reduce bacteria before and/or after various periodontal procedures.

There are different types of antibiotic treatments available, including oral forms and topical gels that are directly applied to the gum pockets. Extensive research has shown the remarkable effectiveness of antibiotic treatments in cases of acute periodontal infection, refractory periodontal disease, prepubertal periodontal disease, and juvenile periodontal disease.

Antibiotics can be prescribed in low doses for extended periods or as short-term medication to prevent bacteria from re-colonizing.

Oral Antibiotics

Topical gels are frequently prescribed over oral antibiotics due to their localized effect. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that oral antibiotics have a wider impact on the entire body. Below are specific details regarding different types of oral antibiotics.

Tetracycline antibiotics – Tetracycline hydrochloride, doxycycline, and minocycline are the primary drugs used in periodontal treatment. These antibiotics have antibacterial properties, reduce inflammation, and inhibit collagenase, a protein that damages connective tissue.
Macrolide antibiotics – Macrolide antibiotics have been proven effective in reducing inflammation and inhibiting bacterial growth associated with periodontitis.
Metronidazole – Severe or chronic periodontitis is typically treated by combining metronidazole with amoxicillin or tetracycline. This combination helps address inflammation and inhibit bacterial growth.

We have gels and strips for topical use

Directly delivering antibiotics to the gums has a major benefit of not impacting the entire body. Generally, topical gels and direct delivery methods are preferred over oral antibiotics, particularly when used after scaling and root planing procedures. Here are some commonly utilized direct delivery antibiotics.

Atridox® – A gel containing doxycycline that conforms to gum surfaces and gradually releases antibiotic medication.
PerioChip® – A chip inserted into gum pockets after root planing, gradually releasing Chlorhexidine to decrease pocket depth in individuals with periodontitis.
Actisite® – A slender strip infused with tetracycline hydrochloride, temporarily placed between the tooth and gum to eliminate bacteria and reduce gum pocket depth. Multiple threads may be used for increased antibiotic impact.
Elyzol® – Available in gel and strip forms, this metronidazole antibiotic eliminates parasites and oral bacteria.
Arestin® – Mini capsules containing Minocycline antibiotic, administered directly into the gums after scaling and root planning.

If you have periodontal disease, your dentist or periodontist may recommend the use of systemic or oral antibiotics to help improve your condition. These treatments have been proven to be effective and can result in noticeable improvements in your oral health.

If you have any questions or concerns about periodontal disease or antibiotic treatments, don't hesitate to ask your dentist for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Antibiotic Therapy

Antibiotic therapy in dental care is often necessary to target specific periodontal pathogens that cause periodontal disease. By reducing or eliminating bacteria, antibiotics help control inflammation and prevent the disease from progressing. When paired with dental procedures like scaling and root planing, antibiotics enhance the effectiveness of treatment by reducing bacterial presence in the gums.

Bacterial resistance occurs when bacteria adapt to antibiotics, making them less effective. This is a concern in dental treatments that rely on systemic antibiotics, as overuse or inappropriate dosing can lead to resistance. To minimize this risk, dentists carefully select specific antibiotics and use them only when necessary, often opting for localized antimicrobial therapy to reduce overall antibiotic exposure.

Yes, topical antimicrobial therapy options like Atridox®, PerioChip®, and Arestin® are effective alternatives to systemic antibiotics for periodontal infections. These treatments deliver antibiotics directly to the gums, targeting the infection site without affecting the entire body, thus lowering the risk of bacterial resistance and side effects while effectively reducing bacterial presence in gum pockets.

Dentists assess the severity and type of periodontal infection to decide if antibiotic therapy is necessary for a dental procedure. Antibiotics are often reserved for acute or persistent cases where bacteria are deeply embedded, or the infection is resistant to standard treatments. In milder cases, non-antibiotic approaches or localized treatments are preferred to minimize bacterial resistance risks.