Antibiotic Treatment

Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which leads to severe inflammation and tooth loss if left untreated.  Antibiotic treatments can be used in combination with scaling and root planning, curettage, surgery or as a stand-alone treatment to help reduce bacteria before and/or after many common periodontal procedures.

Antibiotic treatments come in several different types, including oral forms or direct/topical forms. Oral antibiotics are prescribed at a low dose for longer term use.  Topical forms are applied directly into the gum pockets and used as a short term medication to deter bacteria from re-colonizing.

The biggest advantage of the direct delivery of antibiotics to the surfaces of the gums is that the whole body is not affected. At Smoky Mountain Dentistry we use Arestin^®.  This Minocycline antibiotic comes in mini capsules which are delivered into the gums after scaling and root planning.

If your gum disease does not improve or progressively gets worse, we might make a recommendation that you see a Periodontists, a specialist of the gums and supporting bone.