Topical and systemic antibiotics in the management of periodontal diseases.
Both systemic and topical antibiotics are increasingly used in the management of periodontal infections. Whilst these drugs are used mostly on an empirical basis, some contend that rational use of antibiotics should be the norm due to their wide abuse and consequential global emergence of antibiotic resistance organisms. Here we review the rationale and principles of antimicrobial therapy, treatment goals, drug delivery routes and various antibiotics that are used in the management of periodontal diseases. The pros and cons of systemic and local antibiotic therapy are described together with practical guidelines for their delivery. The available data indicate, in general, that mechanical periodontal treatment alone is adequate to ameliorate or resolve the clinical condition in most cases, but adjunctive antimicrobial agents, delivered either locally or systemically, can enhance the effect of therapy in specific situations. This is particularly true for aggressive (early onset) periodontitis, in patients with generalised systemic disease that may affect host resistance and in case of poor response to conventional mechanical therapy. Locally delivered antibiotics together with mechanical debridement are indicated for non-responding sites of focal infection or in localised recurrent disease. After resolution of the periodontal infection, the patient should be placed on an individually tailored maintenance care programme. Optimal plaque control by the patient is of paramount importance for a favourable clinical and microbiological response to any form of periodontal therapy.
Andrea
A
Mombelli
Lakshman P
LP
Samaranayake
D000189:Actinobacillus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016866:Bacteroidaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D008795:Metronidazole; D013752:Tetracycline; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine