Anti-microbial therapy is the use of antibiotics
or antiseptics in localized or generalized oral
bacterial infections.
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In the treatment of periodontal
disease anti-microbial therapy is used
in the special situation of periodontal abscesses
and in the more general condition of severe
periodontitis which is resistant to mechanical
procedures such as scaling and root planing. |
When a patient is diagnosed with periodontitis it
is usual to plan a series of deep cleanings known
as dental scaling
and root planings. These treatments are designed
to clean out the bacterial infections causing inflammation
by mechanically removing the bacteria from beneath
the gums. The periodontist may also find that periodontal
surgery is necessary to eliminate the pockets around
the teeth which have been colonized by the bacteria.
| There are times when the disease organisms
are so difficult to displace that adjunctive
anti-microbial therapy is necessary. There
are antiseptic and antibiotic oral rinses
which can be used to try to limit the periodontal
disease. In the most stubborn cases antibiotics
may be prescribed to help halt the disease
process. In isolated areas where disease exists,
the periodontist may place an antiseptic or
antibiotics directly into an infected
pocket. |
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The periodontal abscess is another common situation
affecting patients with periodontal disease. This
is a localized infection under the gums usually
attended by swelling and pain in the area. An abscess
typically needs to be treated with antibiotics to
combat the bacteria as well as with surgical intervention.
The periodontist opens the abscessed area to let
it drain and clean out the infection. The patient
is usually prescribed a regimen of oral antibiotics
for 7 to 10 days.
In any of these situations and depending upon a patient's medical history a variety of antibiotics or a combination may be used. The most common oral systemic medications are amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and clindamycin. Tetracycline can be used both locally and systemically. At Century City Periodontics in Los Angeles we are available to treat any aspect of periodontal disease with the most effective course of antibiotics when necessary.
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