title: Controlled and targeted drug delivery strategies towards intraperiodontal pocket diseases.
abstract: Advances in the understanding of the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and microbiology of periodontal pocket flora have revolutionized the strategies for the management of intraperiodontal pocket diseases. Intra-pocket, sustained release, drug delivery devices have been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of periodontal infections. Several degradable and non-degradable devices are under investigation for the delivery of antimicrobial agents into the periodontal pocket including non-biodegradable fibres, films (biodegradable and non-biodegradable), bio-absorbable dental materials, biodegradable gels/ointments, injectables and microcapsules. With the realization that pocket bacteria accumulate as biofilms, studies are now being directed towards eliminating/killing biofilm concentrations rather than their planktonic (fluid phase) counterparts. Intraperiodontal pocket drug delivery has emerged as a novel paradigm for the future research. Similarly, bioadhesive delivery systems are explored that could significantly improve oral therapeutics for periodontal disease and mucosal lesions. A strategy is to target a wide range of molecular mediators of tissue destruction and hence arrest periodontal disease progression. Research into regenerating periodontal structures lost as a result of disease has also shown substantial progress in the last 25 years.
authors.affiliation: Drug Delivery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr H. S. Gour University, Sagar, M.P., India. spvyas@bom6.vsnl.net.in
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sihorkar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mishra
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018450:Disease Progression; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations