title: Use of antimicrobial agents during supportive periodontal therapy.
abstract: Individual susceptibility to periodontal breakdown involves an interplay of genes, periodontal pathogens and other modulating factors. Anti-infective treatment, which includes oral hygiene measures, mechanical debridement, pharmacologic intervention and surgery, has been shown to be effective in arresting the progression of periodontal disease. Nevertheless, due to the chronic nature of the disease, susceptible individuals who are not maintained in a supervised recall program subsequent to the active treatment phase, show signs of recurrent destruction. Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) is an integral part of periodontal treatment for patients with history of periodontitis, and is needed to prevent recurrence of disease in susceptible individuals. To prevent re-infection with periodontal pathogens, SPT includes elimination of dental plaque and bacteria from the oral cavity, thereby preventing the recurrence of pathogens into the gingival area. For individuals at risk of developing periodontitis, SPT should combine self-performed and professional anti-infective therapy, using mechanical and pharmacological means. The existing evidence suggests that the adjunctive use of antimicrobial pharmacologic therapy during SPT may enhance the results of mechanical debridement. The use of antimicrobials varies between patients, and is dependent on risk assessment and longitudinal monitoring of the clinical status of the periodontium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hadassah and Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Venezia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shapira
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations