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
dental 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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