Arestin

Periodontal Treatment

At Leone & Wenning, we provide the option of Arestin for aggressive treatment of the symptoms of periodontal disease or periodontitis. Left untreated this is a serious gum infection that could ultimately destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontal refers to structures and tissues encasing and surrounding your teeth

Arestin is an antibiotic placed directly in the pockets around the teeth that cause periodontal disease, which initially deepens those pockets, known as periodontal pockets, and leads to inflammation and bleeding. Arestin is a medication kills the bacteria causing the infection which will maintain and “arrest” the disease to prevent advancement of the disease.

Early diagnosis and treatment will allow you to keep your teeth for a lifetime. We are here to help you do just that, as well as to inform you about the periodontal disease that requires this treatment on this page.

Periodontal Disease

For those who want a more clinical explanation of both periodontal disease, as well as Arestin and how it works, following is a typical timeline of the start and spread of this disease:

• Periodontitis, which manifests at both a microbial and clinical level, is a chronic bacterial infection caused by a film on the tooth, often unseen by the naked eye, that is generally known as microbial plaque. This plaque, more accurately the bacteria within, has the potential of taking over the surface of the tooth, growing or colonizing the bacteria and intruding below the gingival margin, commonly known as the gum level.
• When this film or plaque invades and irritates the gingival or gums, it begins the process of breaking down the structure and support surrounding the teeth, including tissue and bone. And that can lead to everything from tooth loss to a distortion of the arrangement of your teeth. In other words, your smile is in jeopardy and, more importantly, your dental and overall health.
• The next stage of periodontal disease, without treatment, is increasing pocket depth. You might discover that brushing or flossing will result in bleeding gums. It is important to note that bleeding gums do not always signify periodontal disease. That why Dr. Leone and Dr. Wenning recommend a dental exam before making a diagnosis.
• Periodontal disease spreads and if undeterred will invade healthy teeth and gums elsewhere in the mouth.

The bacteria captured in the film or plaque of this developing disease are known colorfully as the red complex bacteria , breeding along the gum lining or what might be described as the surface of the pocket known as the epithelium or epithelial surface. That means the pocket is in jeopardy and, by extension, the remainder of your teeth.

These red complex bacteria multiply rapidly, and even when their spread is stymied with treatment, there is always a threat of the return of the invaders, or re-colonization.

Treatment by so-called mechanical dental procedures are often only temporary, and a new invasion of these bacteria could start in a matter of days or a few weeks.

Arestin is a locally applied antibiotic that is safe and easy to use, with no adhesive, anesthesia or post-treatment removal required.

For more on the disease and the treatment we recommend the manufacturer’s website at www.arestinprofessional.com.