Medicine that goes where the infection is
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that lives deep in the pockets between your gums and teeth. A deep cleaning physically removes the plaque and tartar those bacteria live in, but in deeper pockets, some bacteria can survive and begin multiplying again.
Arestin® is a locally applied antibiotic: tiny microspheres of medication placed directly into the infected pocket, typically right after scaling and root planing. The microspheres stay in place and release the antibiotic gradually over time, continuing to fight the infection for weeks after your visit, right at the site of the disease, rather than throughout your whole body like an antibiotic pill.
Placement is quick and comfortable: no needles and no bandages, and you can't feel the microspheres once they're in place.
The benefits of local antibiotic therapy
- Targets stubborn pockets that stay deep or inflamed after a deep cleaning alone.
- Keeps working between visits, releasing medication over time as your gums heal.
- Localized, not systemic: the medication concentrates where it's needed instead of circulating through your whole body.
- Quick and painless to place, with no change to your daily routine beyond simple aftercare.
After placement we'll give you simple aftercare instructions, mainly avoiding disturbing the treated areas for a short period so the medication stays where it belongs.
