Abstract

A NOVEL APPROACH TO CONTROL PERIODONTAL DISEASES: A PERIODONTAL IMPLANT

Hariom Sharma* and Kaushal K. Chandrul

Abstract

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by infection of a periodontal pocket arising from the accumulation of subgingival plaque. Periodontal disease has been considered as a possible risk factor for other systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and pre-term low birth weight infants. Aggressive forms of periodontitis can be localized or generalized. Local delivery of antimicrobial agents using controlled release systems should be considered as adjunctive to mechanical debridement for the treatment of localized forms of periodontal destruction. Systemic administration of drugs leads to therapeutic concentrations at the site of infection, but for short periods of time, forcing repeated dosing for longer periods. Local delivery of antimicrobials has been investigated for the possibility of overcoming the limitations of conventional therapy. The use of sustained release formulations to deliver anti-bacterial to the site of infection (periodontal pocket) has recently gained interest. These products provide a long-term, effective treatment at the site of infection at much smaller doses. This article reviews various types of delivery systems evaluated in practical periodontal therapy and identifies areas where further research may lead to a clinically effective intra-pocket delivery system.

Keywords: Periodontal diseases, periodontal pockets, local drug delivery system, controlled drug delivery.