title: Antibiotics in the treatment of periodontitis.
abstract: The emerging worldwide problem of bacterial resistance has resulted from overuse and misuse of systemic antibiotics. It is appropriate therefore to review periodontal treatment strategies to determine whether systemic antibiotics have a role to play in the management of periodontitis. For the great majority of patients presenting with periodontal conditions, systemic antibiotics are not indicated. Instead, treatment should focus on mechanical disruption of plaque biofilms, plaque control and risk factor modification. Systemic antibiotics may be indicated in severe spreading infections, some aggressive forms of periodontitis, and necrotizing periodontal conditions. These conditions present infrequently in general practice, most will require referral to a periodontal specialist and the decision to use systemic antimicrobials as part of periodontal management is more appropriately taken within a specialist centre. Systemic antibiotics are not indicated in the vast majority of periodontal conditions encountered in general dental practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Sciences, Department of Periodontology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Preshaw
mesh_terms: D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018441:Biofilms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000075202:Contraindications; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012534:Dental Scaling; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005892:Gingivitis, Necrotizing Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy; D010517:Periodontics; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016745:Root Planing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents