ARESTIN® in Durham, NC

Gum infections typically occur when plaque and bacteria are allowed to remain on the smile. The bacteria cause pockets to form between the teeth and gums, making it difficult for those areas of your smile to be cleaned and remain disease free. To prevent the development of infection, our dentist can utilize ARESTIN® to protect the hard-to-reach areas of your gum tissue.

ARESTIN® is minocycline hydrochloride, an antibiotic that kills infection-causing bacteria. Dr. Erfan Imeni places the antibiotic directly in the infected pockets of the gums. The ARESTIN® sits in the pockets for a long time, about 30 days, killing off the bacteria and preventing it from returning. It can be a stand-alone treatment but is typically used in conjunction with a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing.

Please contact Smile Design – Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at (919) 220-5505 if you have developed any redness, irritation, or easy bleeding along your gum line, as these are common symptoms of a gingival infection. Please feel free to speak with our dentist if you have any questions about ARESTIN in Durham, North Carolina.

ARESTIN® is placed directly into the periodontal pocket as a fine powder, so there is no bandage and no stitches, and it does not require numbing beyond what your scaling and root planing already involves. To keep the microspheres where they are needed, wait 12 hours before brushing the treated areas, and avoid floss, toothpicks and other interdental cleaners in those areas for 10 days. Skip hard, crunchy or sticky foods for about a week. Minocycline can also make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so use sun protection while you heal.

An antibiotic taken by mouth travels through your whole body to reach the gums, which means a larger dose and more opportunity for side effects elsewhere. ARESTIN® works locally: the minocycline microspheres sit inside the infected pocket and release slowly for about 30 days, treating the bacteria at the source. That is why it is used alongside scaling and root planing rather than instead of it. The deep cleaning removes hardened plaque from the root surface, and the antibiotic deals with what remains in the pocket afterwards.

ARESTIN® is intended for adults being treated for periodontitis with scaling and root planing, especially where pockets stay deep enough to be hard to clean at home. It is not suitable for anyone allergic to minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics, and it is not used during pregnancy or while nursing. Tell Dr. Imeni about the medications you take and any previous reaction to an antibiotic before treatment. If your gums bleed easily, feel tender or look red along the gumline, call (919) 220-5505 and we can assess whether ARESTIN® would help.