The first step towards gum health is regular professional cleaning and good home care. Gingivitis and early periodontitis can be easily be treated by scaling and root planing .Scaling and root planing is careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets using hand instruments and ultrasonics and simultaneously smoothening the root surfaces . This may be accompanied with local delivery of anti-microbial agents to aid healing.(Arestin therapy)

After scaling and root planing, many patients do not require any further active treatment, including surgical therapy. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain health. Non-surgical therapy does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be indicated to restore periodontal health.

This is a non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease. As the name suggests it arrests the progression of periodontal disease when used in conjunction with scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)

ArestinTM is a locally delivered antimicrobial agent which consists of minocycline HCL microspheres. ArestinTM is intended to be used in pockets with a depth of 5 millimeters or greater. It can be used in one or any number of pockets in one or several visits. It is dispensed as a 1 mg powder and is placed directly into a cleaned periodontal pocket using a specialized delivery system. Following placement over the next several hours or days it will harden and stay within the pocket releasing Minocycline over a prescribed period of time (usually about 18 – 20 days), thereby providing the appropriate dose of antibiotic to the site and reducing the bacterial count in the pocket.

• Studies have shown that there is a 2 mm reduction in the depth of the pockets when Arestin is used along with scaling and root planing
• Arestin therapy is effective in treating resistant sites which do not respond to cleaning alone such as in patients who are smokers, diabetics and have cardio-vascular disease
• Arestin is very easy to use, it is a safe and effective procedure

Why would you use an antibiotic to treat periodontal disease?
Even though scaling and root planing (SRP) removes a great deal of the bacteria that cause periodontal infection, the instruments used during this mechanical procedure can’t always reach the bacteria that hide in the bottom of pockets or in difficult-to-reach areas. That’s why your dental professional may decide to add a locally administered antibiotic (LAA) such as ARESTIN®. ARESTIN® helps to kill the bacteria left behind by SRP.

What are the contra-indications to the use of Arestin?
Arestin should not be used if you are allergic to tetracycline or if you are pregnant or nursing as it might cause discoloration of the developing teeth in the fetus.

Can I resume normal brushing and flossing following Arestin Therapy?
Delay brushing the treated area for 12 hours after treatment with ARESTIN® and abstain from using interproximal cleaning devices around the treated area for 10 days. Patients should also avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods such as popcorn or caramel that could traumatize the gingiva.