The number one cause of tooth loss is not decay or trauma – it’s periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the gum line that causes inflammation and bleeding. About 50% of adults over 30 have gum disease and many don’t even know it. As a preventive-oriented practice, the team at Estero Bay Dental in Estero, FL will evaluate your risk of gum disease and offer options to prevent or arrest it.
Left untreated, gum disease can also cause the gums to recede and begin to pull away from the teeth. Arestin is a solution to periodontal disease. When used in tandem with a root scaling and planing, Arestin can help halt the progress of gingivitis and periodontitis disease. Arestin is a topical antibiotic placed deep into the gum pockets, where it works to kill the bacteria responsible for gum disease. Its time-release formulation continues to kill bacteria for several days after application.
You may need Arestin if you are diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontal disease. If you suspect that you could be suffering from gum disease, see your dentist immediately for an examination and consultation. Arestin is highly effective for destroying the bacteria that causes gum disease. However, it is possible that you will require additional treatments.
After treatment, Arestin will continue to work for several days after application. For this reason, you will need to avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods for the first week to 10 days after treatment. You should also eliminate flossing from your dental routine during this time. At the end of the treatment period, you may resume flossing and are encouraged to stop smoking (if applicable), as this can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease again in the future. So long as you adhere to a careful and hygienic dental routine, you should be able to prevent future incidences of gum disease.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease and are looking for a targeted, effective way to fight the infection at its source, Arestin treatment at Estero Bay Dental may be an important part of your path to healthier gums. Serving patients throughout Estero, FL and the surrounding Bonita Springs community, our team uses Arestin as a powerful complement to scaling and root planing, the deep cleaning procedure used to treat periodontal disease. Arestin is a locally applied antibiotic in the form of tiny microspheres that are placed directly into the infected pockets between your teeth and gums immediately following your deep cleaning appointment. Once in place, Arestin releases the antibiotic minocycline continuously over time, targeting the bacteria that cause gum disease right where they live and reducing the depth of periodontal pockets more effectively than scaling and root planing alone. For patients who are serious about getting their gum disease under control and protecting their long-term oral health, Arestin offers a clinically proven advantage. Contact Estero Bay Dental today to learn more about whether Arestin is the right addition to your gum disease treatment plan.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the most common oral health conditions affecting adults, yet many people do not realize they have it until it has already progressed to a more serious stage. It begins as gingivitis, characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums, and can advance to periodontitis if left untreated. In its more advanced stages, gum disease causes the gum tissue and supporting bone to break down, leading to gum recession, loose teeth, and ultimately tooth loss. Beyond the mouth, research has linked untreated gum disease to serious systemic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness. At Estero Bay Dental, we take gum disease seriously because we understand the far-reaching consequences it can have on your overall wellbeing. Early and aggressive treatment is always the best approach, and Arestin plays an important role in helping our patients achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their periodontal health.
Arestin works through a process called controlled local delivery, which means the antibiotic is released gradually and continuously directly at the site of infection rather than being distributed throughout the entire body as an oral antibiotic would be. After your scaling and root planing procedure, our dentist places the Arestin microspheres into the periodontal pockets around your affected teeth using a small applicator. These microspheres are bioadhesive, meaning they stick to the moist tissues inside the pocket and begin releasing minocycline immediately. The antibiotic continues to be released at therapeutic levels for up to 21 days following placement, providing extended protection against the bacteria responsible for driving gum disease progression. Clinical studies have consistently demonstrated that patients who receive Arestin in addition to scaling and root planing experience significantly greater reductions in pocket depth compared to those who receive deep cleaning alone.
One of the most reassuring things about Arestin treatment is how simple and comfortable the placement process is for patients. Arestin is administered immediately after your scaling and root planing appointment while the treatment area is still numb, so most patients feel little to no discomfort during placement. The entire process takes only a few minutes and does not require any additional anesthetic or preparation. Once placed, the microspheres dissolve on their own over time so there is nothing to remove at a follow-up appointment. In the days following your treatment, we recommend avoiding touching the treated areas with your toothbrush or floss for at least ten days and refraining from eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods near the placement sites. Our team at Estero Bay Dental will provide you with a full set of personalized aftercare instructions and schedule a follow-up visit to evaluate how well your gums are responding to treatment.
Arestin is specifically indicated for patients who have been diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and are undergoing scaling and root planing as part of their gum disease treatment plan. It is particularly beneficial for patients with persistent or deep periodontal pockets that have not responded adequately to mechanical cleaning alone. If you have previously undergone scaling and root planing and experienced a relapse of gum disease, Arestin may be a valuable addition to your ongoing periodontal maintenance protocol. Patients with certain health conditions that compromise the immune system or make them more susceptible to oral infections may also see particular benefit from the localized antibiotic protection Arestin provides. During your evaluation at Estero Bay Dental, our team will assess the severity of your gum disease and determine whether Arestin is an appropriate and beneficial part of your personalized treatment plan.
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, and the team at Estero Bay Dental is dedicated to helping patients throughout Estero, FL and the greater Estero Bay area achieve and maintain optimal gum health. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease or suspect that your gums may not be as healthy as they should be, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation at our Estero office as soon as possible. We accept most major dental insurance plans and offer flexible financing options to ensure that cost never stands between you and the care your gums require. Whether you are a new patient or an existing patient seeking more aggressive management of a gum disease diagnosis, our team is here to provide the skilled, compassionate care you deserve. Call us today at (239) 236-2129 or request your appointment online and take an important step toward healthier gums and a stronger smile.
