Local Delivery Antibiotics (Arestin treatment)

MD Periodontics leads with antibiotics for gum infection

At cutting-edge MD Periodontics in Beverly Hills, the doctors use local antibiotic treatment for drug delivery along with subgingival debridement as part of their powerful arsenal to promote periodontal health.

Used with non-surgical periodontal therapy, local delivery of high concentration antibiotics, which release over time, avoids systemic antimicrobials going directly into the patient’s system. Systemic antibiotics (traditional antibiotics that run through the whole body) run the risk of developing bacterial resistance and gastrointestinal side effects.

Our board-certified periodontists, Dr. Abdy Moshrefi and Dr. Nazy specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as ongoing periodontal maintenance.

During periodontal treatment, the doctors make you comfortable using the proper amount of anesthesia. Then, reduce any possible infection with adjunctive therapy by prescribing local antibiotics to facilitate healing in adult periodontitis patients.

What is a local antibiotic treatment?

There is a significant difference in the way local antibiotic treatment acts as an adjunct (addition) to treating periodontal disease. Periodontal pockets originate from plaque collecting in a tooth’s gum line, lesions, furcation, and gingivitis. This plaque is made of saliva and microorganisms.

Our expert clinicians begin treatment of chronic periodontitis by scaling and root planing the area under the gum line. This removes the plaque and inflammatory issues and allows the gums to regain their elasticity around the tooth.

As an added protection against further infection, our doctors employ a delivery system that puts an antibiotic directly into the pocket depth to kill any bacteria that may be lingering after the scaling and root planing.

This modality of antibiotic treatment has exceptional clinical efficacy, greatly reducing the chance that the patient will experience bone and tooth loss, and even heart disease.

Arestin© dental therapy

Arestin is the go-to antibiotic therapy used at MD Periodontics. The drug is called minocycline and belongs to a class of drugs called tetracycline antibiotics.

Our doctors place the medicine (which comes in powder form) directly into the infected root surface. Over the next several weeks the medicine will be released to fight microbiological infection.

What to expect from Arestin dental therapy

• After you leave our office do not touch the treated areas for the next week.
• Try to avoid chewing food on the treated tooth. We also recommend avoiding hard, crunchy, or chewy foods.
• Do not use dental floss on the treated tooth for at least 10 days after your appointment.
• Our doctors will often apply a second treatment of the antibiotic during your follow-up appointment.
• Continue to practice good oral hygiene.

Possible side effects with Arestin antibiotic

Though well-tolerated by most of our patients, occasionally people do react to local antibiotic treatments.

The most common side effects are headaches, discomfort in the gum area where the medicine was applied, and toothaches.

Call our office immediately if you experience tooth loosening or jaw pain.

Serious reactions require immediate medical attention. These include:

• rash, itching, or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat
• dizziness
• trouble breathing

Who should avoid local antibiotic treatment?

There are several risk factors when using local antibiotics. Some people are allergic to minocycline or other tetracyclines. Please make sure you alert our doctors if you have had a problem with this drug.

Tell our dentist if you have any past or current fungal infections of the mouth or vagina such as thrush or yeast infection.

You should also limit your time in the sun while on this medicine. This means also avoiding tanning booths and sunlamps. Contact our office if you get sunburned or have skin blisters.

You should not use minocycline when pregnant. Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

Other local antimicrobials (non-surgical periodontal treatment) include:

• Atridox© Doxycycline Polymer gel
• Periochip© Chlorhexidine Gelatin matrix
• Actisite© Tetracycline Fiber
• metronidazole
• doxycycline hyclate
• minocycline microspheres

The MD Periodontics advantage

Dental professionals Drs. Moshrefi and Daneshmand are board-certified periodontists and members of the American Academy of Periodontology. Their masterful dental care skills and state-of-the-art equipment enable them to perform extractions and other periodontal procedures with exceptional results and marginal discomfort. They always listen to their patients and answer their questions. The best periodontics in Beverly Hills get you the results you want.

We are conveniently located to patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. Our Beverly Hills office is conveniently located near Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks, and Encino.

We are currently accepting new patients and offer state-of-the-art procedures including ceramic dental implants, laser crown lengthening, bone grafting, periodontal maintenance, and holistic dentistry.

To schedule an appointment, click here or call (855) 245-1100. Your smile will thank you! 

About Dr. Abdy Moshrefi, DDS, MS

An expert in implant dentistry Dr. Moshrefi is considered one of the leading periodontal artisans in California, known for fearlessly handling the most complicated dental reconstruction cases. His remarkably real-looking dental implants and restorations set him apart from other periodontic professionals. Patient reviews rave about his warm and confident bedside manner combined with honesty and transparency.

Dr. Moshrefi graduated from UCLA with Phi Beta Kappa and Magma Cum Laude honors. He then graduated from USC Dental School with a doctoral and specialty training in Periodontics. The doctor also holds a Master of Science degree in craniofacial biology and is a board-certified periodontist in addition to a dedicated holistic dentist. He is (of course) a member of the American Dental Association.

About Dr. Nazy Daneshmand, DDS

Dr. Daneshmand is a board-certified periodontist and member of the American Dental Association. After studying biology at UCLA, she graduated from USC’s Dental School with a doctorate and specialty training in periodontics.

Dr. Daneshmand also specializes in the practice of “holistic dentistry,” which uses metal-free and toxin-free dental options. She offers patients solutions to full-mouth dental problems that are beneficial to their overall health. Dr. Daneshmand also excels in the field of antimicrobial therapy and non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. Her articles have been published and syndicated in numerous publications, including the Journal of Periodontal Research.

Dr. Abdy and Dr. Nazy have been married for over 20 years and have three children together.