Arestin is an antibiotic used to treat periodontal (gum) disease.  Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition which affects the periodontium which is the tissue surrounding the teeth.  Since patients often experience painless symptoms or no symptoms at all during the early stages of periodontal disease, many do not seek treatment until the disease is in advanced stages.  Periodontal disease is a serious condition which can have a negative impact on the patient's overall health and can lead to tooth loss if not properly treated in time. This silent disease in an active, ongoing infection and has been linked to diabetes, hypertension and certain types of cancer.

Once a periodontal infection has been diagnosed, Arestin can be used as a highly effective treatment.  As a locally delivered antibiotic, Arestin kills harmful bacteria that cause the infections.  The active ingredient of Arestin, the antibiotic Minocycline, is particularly effective in combating the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease.

When used to treat periodontal disease, Arestin® is delivered directly to the infected site in low doses and continues to kill harmful bacteria for up to three weeks.  This continuous action is achieved through the use of microsphere technology, which involves the use of microscopic powder beads to provide extended release of the antibiotic.

Available in a powder-like form, Arestin® is applied painlessly to the infected tissue and is typically used in conjunction with scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures.  SRP involves the deep cleaning of the teeth and gums and the effectiveness of the procedure can be significantly enhanced with the contemporaneous use of Arestin®.  In fact, the use of Arestin® has been shown to provide significantly better results than the use of SRP on its own, greatly reducing infection and preventing disease progression. Laser periodontal therapy is another tool in modern dentistry today to control and treat gum disease.

While the use of a locally administered antibiotic is not a new treatment method for periodontal disease, Arestin® is the first microsphere antibiotic that has been shown to greatly improve the effectiveness of SRP.  As such, Arestin® is the antibiotic of choice for many dentists treating patients with periodontal disease.