Treating Lyndhurst's Gum Disease

Periodontal Medications

Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of the gums and bone holding teeth in place.

Bacteria and high levels of plaque (bacteria and food) release tissue destroying enzymes. If left untreated the gums and bones holding teeth in place can be damaged or disappear entirely leading to tooth loss.

In order to treat bacteria within the mouth our office utilizes several anti-bacterial therapies during your dental hygiene visit in the office.

Chlorhexidine is used to rinse your mouth and flush the periodontal pockets around your teeth. Chlorhexidine rinse is an antibacterial solution that kills the bacteria that creates plaque and eventually leads to gum inflammation and bone loss. It is usable both in the office as an aid to the dental hygienist and at home as a rinse for those individuals who are having difficulty controlling gingivitis and mild periodontal disease.

Those that have been diagnosed with moderate to advanced periodontal disease may be treated with one of two new antibacterial medications.

Arestin is an antibiotic powder in a form called nanospheres that can be placed under the gum tissue painlessly, quickly and easily. Placed in a deep periodontal pocket, these dust sized particles dissolve in a specialized time released process. This allows direct treatment of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease over a sixty day period. Research and our experience in the office have shown that this treatment, if used in conjunction with exceptional home care on the patient’s part, can dramatically reduce the depth of periodontal infection. The normal course of treatment for patients utilizing this modality is to see the patient every three months for evaluation and re-treatment with more Arestin for a minimum of four courses of dosing. Many of our patients who have been treated with Arestin have reduced their need for further periodontal treatment.

Periostat is an antibiotic that is prescribed, taken twice daily, to directly treat the destruction of tooth and gum tissue caused by certain enzymes in the body. This medication, in pill form, creates a high level of antibiotics only in the sulcus (collar) around every tooth. This is the area that periodontal disease begins and causes most of its damage. One of the wonderful things about this new therapy is that the level of antibiotic is virtually undetectable in the bloodstream.

Our office has been privileged to participate in a multi-center national research project evaluating the effectiveness of some of these treatments. This has proven to be very exciting to us and exceptionally beneficial to our patients.

In conjunction with careful monitoring in the office and a patient’s own personal hygiene efforts at home, we are controlling the most damaging disease found in adult’s mouths, Periodontal Disease.

If you wish more information regarding Medicaments or wish to find out how our highly trained staff might assist you please call us to schedule an evaluation and consultation. 440-461-8200. You may also email us though the “contact us” page on this website.