Periodontal
disease | Risks | About
Arestin® | The Arestin®
Facts
Arestin® FAQs
| How does Arestin® work? |
| Occurs
when bacteria builds up on your teeth under the
gums, causing your gums to become red and swollen.
This condition, known as inflammation, if left untreated,
eventually results in damage to the ligaments and
bone which hold your teeth in place, forming pockets
around your teeth. As the disease progresses and
these pockets become deeper, your teeth can become
loose and fall out. Dentists and registered dental
hygienists can tell how severe a patient's periodontitis
is by measuring pocket depth and reviewing patient
x-rays Arestin, which contains a potent but low-dose
antibiotic (minocycline 1 mg) is administered locally,
directly into the infected pockets between your
teeth. A trained dental professional can administer
Arestin after scaling and root planing, a common
procedure used to treat periodontal disease. When
used together with scaling and root planing, Arestin
significantly reduces the depth of infected pockets
and helps prevent disease progression. A combined
therapy of Arestin plus scaling and root planing
is more effective at fighting periodontal disease
than scaling and root planing alone. Arestin has
been shown to be particularly effective in the more
difficult to treat patients, i.e. those that are
at a higher periodontal risk such as smokers or
people who have cardiovascular disease. Arestin
was studied in more than 920 patients with adult
periodontitis at 22 universities and dental schools
across the country. These large clinical trials
allowed for the collection of extensive data establishing
the safety and efficacy of Arestin. Minimal side
effects were reported and those that were reported
were similar to placebo. In these trials Arestin
did not alter taste, stain teeth, or cause upset
stomach. |
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To provide you with a better understanding of periodontics, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to periodontics are discussed.
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Family
History
Scientists have discovered that there is a genetic
link to periodontal disease. If members of your
family have had this disease, you should discuss
it with your general dentist or periodontist.
Tobacco Use (smoking
or chewing)
The chemicals in cigarette smoke have been shown
to cause harm to the “helpful” bacteria
that keep your gums strong. Cigarettes also lower
HDL or your “good cholesterol,” which
can lead to artery damage and decreased flow of
nutrients to your gums. If you are a smoker, it’s
probably a good idea to try and quit.
Diabetes
Diabetics are at higher risk for developing infections,
including periodontal disease. These infections
can impair the body’s ability to process and/or
utilize insulin, which may cause your diabetes to
be more difficult to control. Diabetes may also
have an impact on the infections that cause gum
disease.
Transmission
Research has shown that the bacteria that cause
periodontal disease can be transmitted through intimate
contact such as kissing, or sharing a toothbrush.
If you have had a relationship with someone who
has symptoms of gum disease, you should bring this
to your dentist’s attention.
Stress
As you probably already know, stress is linked to
many serious health conditions. What you may not
know is that stress is also a risk factor for periodontal
disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make
it more difficult for the body to fight off infection,
including periodontal diseases.
Medications
Oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and certain
heart medicines can affect your oral health. Just
as you notify your pharmacist and other health care
providers about all medicines you are taking and
any changes in your overall health, you should also
inform your dental care provider.
Clenching
or Grinding Your Teeth
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth
at night? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put
excess force on the supporting periodontal tissues
of the teeth and can speed up the rate at which
they are destroyed.
Poor
Nutrition
As you may already know, a diet low in important
nutrients can compromise the body’s immune
system and make it harder for the body to fight
off infection. Because periodontal disease is a
serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the
condition of your gums. If you find it difficult
to maintain a well-balanced diet, a good nutritional
supplement should be considered.
Cardiovascular
Disease
Your teeth and gums are supplied with nutrients
by your vascular system. Recent studies have shown
periodontal disease may be both a cause and a symptom
of cardiovascular disease.
Causes
The body responds
Bacteria are certainly a cause of gum disease, and
it is important to remove bacteria to improve gum
health. Bacteria, however, are not the direct cause
of gum and dental bone tissue damage and eventual
tooth loss. Gum and bone tissue damage are actually
caused by the body’s own defense against bacterial
infection. How could this be? Well, as a natural
infection-fighting mechanism, your body sends white
blood cells to the infection site. One of the functions
of the white blood cells is to release enzymes to
facilitate the passage into the gum and bone tissue.
Once there, the white blood cells will destroy the
bacteria. In periodontitis, however, there is an
overproduction of these enzymes by these cells —
an overproduction that results in a greater destruction
of the gum and bone tissue than the body can repair
or replace. Therefore, treatment of periodontitis
involves a two-pronged approach: reduce the bacteria
in the tooth pockets (the space between the gum
and tooth) with a deep cleaning (known as scaling
and root planing) of the teeth, and reduce the activity
of the enzymes released in the gum tissue with Periostat®.
Extensive studies have shown that when used with
scaling and root planing, Periostat® significantly
improved the results of this deep cleaning procedure
and helped to stop progression of the disease better
than scaling and root planing alone.
Signs
and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease often approaches silently…
Periodontal disease can begin to affect the health
of your teeth long before you even notice symptoms.
Causes
The body responds
Bacteria are certainly a cause of gum disease, and
it is important to remove bacteria to improve gum
health. Bacteria, however, are not the direct cause
of gum and dental bone tissue damage and eventual
tooth loss. Gum and bone tissue damage are actually
caused by the body’s own defense against bacterial
infection. How could this be? Well, as a natural
infection-fighting mechanism, your body sends white
blood cells to the infection site. One of the functions
of the white blood cells is to release enzymes to
facilitate the passage into the gum and bone tissue.
Once there, the white blood cells will destroy the
bacteria. In periodontitis, however, there is an
overproduction of these enzymes by these cells —
an overproduction that results in a greater destruction
of the gum and bone tissue than the body can repair
or replace. Therefore, treatment of periodontitis
involves a two-pronged approach: reduce the bacteria
in the tooth pockets (the space between the gum
and tooth) with a deep cleaning (known as scaling
and root planing) of the teeth, and reduce the activity
of the enzymes released in the gum tissue with Periostat®.
Extensive studies have shown that when used with
scaling and root planing, Periostat® significantly
improved the results of this deep cleaning procedure
and helped to stop progression of the disease better
than scaling and root planing alone.
Signs
and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease often approaches silently…
Periodontal disease can begin to affect the health
of your teeth long before you even notice symptoms.
Here are some early warning signs to look for…
Can my diet affect
my teeth?
A healthy diet helps your body stay in top physical
condition. If you do not eat well-balanced meals
every day, you may be missing important nutrients
that your teeth and gums need to fight invading
bacteria. Talk to your dentist or physician about
how you can improve your diet for peak physical
condition.
Should
I go to the dentist?
If you are concerned that any of these factors could
use improvement, call your general dentist or periodontist
today for a checkup. Your health care provider will
be better able to help you if you come to his or
her office prepared with a list of things to discuss.
Periodontal Treatments
for Periodontal Disease
Today there are several ways in which dentists and
periodontists are helping patients overcome periodontal
disease. Old and new therapies used together often
help dental professionals address the various factors
that contribute to periodontitis.
Gum
Irrigation and Ultrasonic Therapy
·
Gum Irrigation: Dentists often use a strong stream
of water to help wash plaque and bacteria off of
teeth. This is done by directing the water so that
it penetrates below the gum line. As the body responds
to this pressure, the bond between tooth and gum
is made more solid.
· Ultrasonic Therapy:
This procedure uses an instrument that directs ultrasonic
vibrations through the gums and teeth. Similar to
gum irrigation, this procedure strengthens tooth
and gum stability and encourages your own immune
cells to destroy harmful bacteria.
Scaling
and Root Planing (SRP)
Scaling and root planing is a type of professional
tooth cleaning. It removes plaque and tartar from
the teeth and smoothes the root surfaces.
Why is Periostat® (doxycycline hyclate) prescribed
for periodontitis?
Most treatments for adult periodontitis focus primarily
on reducing the number of bacteria on the surface
of your teeth. For example, your dental professional
is likely to perform SRP (scaling and root planing)
to help reduce surface bacteria. This is an important
part of your treatment because periodontal disease
begins with a bacterial infection on the tooth surface,
and by reducing the number of bacteria, the symptoms
of periodontitis (such as bleeding) can be reduced.
Research has shown that it is also important to
suppress your body's overproduction of gum- and
tissue-destroying enzymes. This is where Periostat®
comes in. It is the first medication that works
by reducing the activity of the enzymes that destroy
tooth and gum tissue.
Periostat® is available by prescription only
from your dentist or periodontist and should be
taken in conjunction with SRP delivered by your
dental professional to reduce pocket depths and
improve clinical attachment levels.
Don't take Periostat® if you are pregnant or
breast-feeding, as it may cause harm to your unborn
child or infant. Don’t take Periostat®
if you are allergic to tetracycline antibiotics.
In clinical trials, adverse reactions to Periostat®
were similar to reactions from taking a placebo.
Periostat® Dosage
and Duration of Treatment
Periostat® is available as a tablet to be taken
twice daily, about an hour before or two hours after
meals. Periostat® should be taken with plenty
of fluids. If you forget to take a dose, just take
the normal dose of 1 tablet at the next scheduled
time. Do not double up to make up for the missed
tablet.
The duration of Periostat® therapy is different
for each person and depends on the severity of your
gum disease and the time needed for your body‘s
healing process to take place. During your checkups,
your dentist or periodontist will determine if you
should stop therapy or continue to take Periostat®
based on your response to treatment and the level
of improvement of your gum disease.
In clinical studies, Periostat® was shown to
be safe when taken for as long as 12 months. Typically,
the drug is taken for periods of no less than 3
months. Your dentist or periodontist will tell you
how long you should take Periostat®.
Periostat® is a unique dosage of a drug called
doxycycline. The dosage of Periostat® differs
from that of doxycycline used to treat infections.
Exceeding the recommended dosage may result in an
increased incidence of side effects, including development
of resistant microorganisms.
Plan
for Better Oral Health
At all times, follow instructions given to you by
your dentist or periodontist. Make sure you keep
appointments for treatments and checkups. Between
visits, follow good dental hygiene as recommended
by your dental professional. If Periostat® has
been prescribed for you, make sure you take it as
directed by your dentist or periodontist.
Antibacterial
Therapy
It is well established that many cases of periodontal
disease are caused by bacteria. That’s why
antibiotic therapy is widely used today to help
eliminate these harmful bacteria. This treatment
includes oral medication, locally applied antibiotics,
such as ATRIDOX® (doxycycline hyclate) 10%,
and rinses that can help fight bacterial infection.
Gum Surgery
When periodontitis progresses deep enough in the
gum and tooth, a specialist called a periodontal
surgeon sometimes needs to perform surgery to repair
the gum. He or she uses various surgical techniques
to repair the damage. Surgery may be done on soft
tissue or bone to help the healing process.
What Should I Ask My
Dentist?
On your next visit to the dentist, let your dentist
know that you care about the condition of your gums
as well as your teeth. If it helps, write down the
questions you want to ask. Remember, a healthy smile
begins with healthy conversation.
Ask
the following questions:
1.
Do my gums look healthy?
2.
Did my gums bleed during this exam?
3. Have any
spaces formed between my gums and my teeth?
4. Are any of
my permanent teeth loose or separating?
5.
Have there been any changes in the way my teeth
fit when I bite?
6.
What steps can I take to achieve healthy gums?
7. Should I
schedule an appointment with a periodontist?
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Arestin®
(minocycline HCl 1mg) microspheres is a treatment
for chronic periodontitis, an infection of the gums
that can lead to tooth loss. Research has
shown periodontitis may be linked to other serious
diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis,
and diabetes. Microsphere technology enables extended
release of the antibiotic minocycline to effectively
kill the germs that cause periodontal disease.
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- Treatment with Arestin® (minocycline HCl
1mg) microspheres is fast, easy and doesn't
cause discomfort.
Treating periodontal disease with Arestin and
scaling and root planing will help you manage
chronic periodontist more effectively than scaling
and root planing alone. You’ll also be less
likely to lose your teeth.
- Patients treated with Arestin experience
minimal side effects.
- Arestin does not require bandages or stitches.
- Arestin is bioadhesive and bioresorbable.
It will not leak, fall out, or leave anything
to be removed by the dentist or hygienist in
a follow-up visit.
- Treating periodontitis with Arestin plus SRP
can keep this chronic disease from progressing
to the point where surgery is needed.
- Arestin doesn't require anesthesia because
application is comfortable.
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Who
can benefit from Arestin® (minocycline HCl 1mg)?
Most patients with periodontal disease can benefit
from Arestin. However, Arestin should not be used
on children and pregnant or nursing women.
Is
treatment with Arestin a new procedure?
The use of a locally administered antibiotic is
not a new concept. For years, dentists have used
antibiotics in conjunction with scaling and root
planing treatments. However, Arestin, which was
FDA-approved in February 2001, is the first locally-administered
time released antibiotic encapsulated in microspheres
to make Arestin a fast, easy treatment that doesn’t
cause discomfort and has been shown to be more effective
than SRP alone.
Does
Arestin work?
Yes, Arestin plus scaling and root planing is an
effective treatment for periodontal disease compared
to scaling and root planing alone. Clinical studies
show that patients who received a combined treatment
of scaling and root planing and Arestin maintained
healthier gums and pockets versus those who were
treated with scaling and root planing alone.
How long does treatment
with Arestin take?
In clinical trials, investigators were able to treat
an average of 30 periodontal pockets, in less than
ten minutes. That's up to three sites in one minute!
Treatment time for placement depends on the location
and the number of periodontal pocket sites, but
generally the procedure is fast, easy and comfortable.
Will I have to return
to the dentist to have Arestin removed?
No. Arestin does not require bandages and won’t
leak or fall out. It is naturally absorbed into
the gums, leaving nothing that needs to be removed
by your dentist.
Does
treatment with Arestin hurt?
Treatment with Arestin is easy and doesn’t
cause discomfort. There is no need for anesthesia,
and that means no needles.
Are
there any side effects?
In clinical studies, minimal side effects were reported.
Those that were reported were similar to those in
the placebo group. Arestin does not alter taste
buds, cause teeth staining, or upset stomach.
How much does Arestin
cost?
The cost of Arestin treatment will vary depending
upon your treatment needs. After your dentist has
evaluated your oral health and discussed the treatment
options, he or she can provide you with an estimate
of the cost. Keep in mind that treating your gum
disease today is less costly and better for your
health than waiting to treat symptoms at a more
advanced stage.
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·
Arestin® (minocycline HCl 1mg) microspheres
provides dental professionals with a fast and easy
way to treat periodontal disease. Arestin
uses microsphere technology that delivers minocycline,
a potent but low-dose antibiotic that kills the
bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Minocycline
is placed painlessly under the gum, directly to
the infected site
·
If you could see them, these microspheres would
look like tiny beads of many different sizes.
However, they are smaller than a grain of sand and
look like a yellow powder to the naked eye. Administered
as a powder, the microspheres become moist from
various fluids beneath the gums, they stick to the
infected sites around your teeth. The moisture causes
the release of the antibiotic minocycline, which
can then access the bacteria in the intricate sites
around your teeth, including the sites that are
difficult to reach with other methods of treatment.
The different sizes of the microspheres enable the
medication to be continually released and fight
the infection for at least 21 days. This helps control
periodontitis for at least 12 months when used with
SRP.
·
Arestin is administered quickly and easily.
Application is comfortable and no anesthesia is
needed. Arestin does not require bandages and won't
leak or fall out or leave anything to be removed
by your dentist.
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