Deep pocket Treatment is a form of antibiotic that is actually injected into a periodontal pocket in order to kill off the bacteria that live there. (Bacteria are the ultimate cause of periodontitis.) It is generally used in pockets which are not easily reached with normal home cleaning aids. Arestin is by far the most popular antibiotic therapy now in use by dentists as an adjunct to the treatment of periodontal disease. Arestin is a viscous form of tetracycline (actually Minocin) unique because of its pharmacological preparation which consists of micro spherical particles. This formulation allows a very slow timed release of the antibiotic which increases the drug’s overall effectiveness. Its germ killing activity persists for up to 28 days after it is introduced into a periodontal pocket. The supression of bacterial activity in the pocket for almost a month gives the body plenty of time to heal. Arestin has become a very important therapeutic tool in the treatment of periodontal disease. similar to Arestin, but its pharmacological preparation does not include micro spheres of the drug. It too is a method for delivering doxycycline. It is applied as a gel that conforms to the teeth and gums and then solidifies. Its effects are less long lasting than Arestin, but lasting enough to be

of use during the healing phases after surgery. Once again, it is a professional adjunct that can be helpful after a thorough debridement of the tooth roots, and is especially helpful in cases where systemic doxycycline cannot be used because of its gastrointestinal effects. Both Atridox and Arestin are much more expensive than oral doxycycline because they are dentist-intensive.