07 Jun What to Know About ARESTIN® for Gum Disease
Gum disease affects countless people. If left untreated, it will progress and worsen. Eventually, gum disease leads to tooth loss and the breakdown of the jawbone density. Because the loss of a natural tooth can be a devastating event, dentists want to do everything possible to help their patients preserve the health of their teeth. ARESTIN® is one effective treatment option that can help patients recover from gum disease and improve their oral health.
What is ARESTIN®?
ARESTIN® is a medication that’s placed directly into an infected pocket. The pocket is the space between the gums and the teeth. In patients with gum disease, the gum tissue starts to recede and pull away from the teeth, which creates a larger pocket. Bacteria accumulate within this pocket, making the problem even worse. By placing this medication directly inside the pocket, the dentist can treat the infection at its source.
How is ARESTIN® applied?
Although ARESTIN® is clinically proven to be effective, it isn’t used by itself. First, the dentist or hygienist performs scaling and root planing. This is an intensive, deep cleaning treatment that targets the buildup of tartar and plaque beneath the gum line. The tooth root is then smoothed to encourage the gums to reattach to the tooth. After this treatment is performed, the dentist can insert ARESTIN® microspheres into the periodontal pocket. The insertion process isn’t painful. It doesn’t require needles or bandages. The microspheres release medication over time to treat the infection.
What happens afterward?
Over time, ARESTIN® will naturally absorb into the body. There’s no need to return to the dentist to have the microspheres removed, although you may need a recheck of your periodontal pockets. Your dentist will give you aftercare instructions, which you should follow carefully. For the first seven days, you must avoid eating crunchy, hard, or sticky foods, and avoid chewing gum. For the first 10 days, you must avoid flossing or using a dental pick on the treated teeth.
John R. Carson, DDS is pleased to offer ARESTIN® and other effective treatments for gum disease. It’s our mission to help each of our patients enjoy beautiful, healthy teeth that last a lifetime. You can call our dentistry office in Tucson at (520) 514-7203 to request an appointment.