FAQ » Periostat - A New Weapon in the Fight Against Peri

Periostat - A New Weapon in the Fight Against Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth, as well as the gums and bone that surround the teeth. It's caused by specific bacteria that live in the deepening space between the teeth and gums, called a pocket. The bacteria that cause periodontal d isease trigger the body's immune system to produce enzymes. It's these enzymes that actually cause bone to be lost. Left untreated, this destruction of supporting bone eventually leads to tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is the number one cause of4Pû adult tooth loss. The traditional treatment for periodontal disease has always included a series of steps, starting with the removal of plaque and tartar from the root surfaces; this is called scaling and root planing. After healing, the areas are re-eva luated, home care techniques are modified, and in severe cases, surgery is recommended.

Recent breakthroughs have led to the development of another effective tool in the in the ongoing fight against periodontal disease. This new development is a systemic medication called Periostat.

At left is a photo of Periostat. It's taken not for it's antibiotic effect, but for it's ability to inhibit the bone-destroying enzymes released by the body in response to periodontal disease. We usually prescribe Periostat for several months, at mini mum. It's taken twice daily - one capsule in the morning and one in the evening, about an hour before meals.

When used in combination with scaling, root planing and improved home care techniques, Periostat suppresses the level of destructive enzymes that cause bone loss. In turn, this will help to reduce the depth of gum pockets and promote a healthy attachm ent of gums to teeth.
We won't prescribe Periostat if you're allergic to Tetracyclines, or if you're pregnant or nursing. Periostat is also not prescribed for children under eight years of age.

Periostat is an important advance in the treatment of adult periodontitis. We recommend Periostat in combination with scaling, root planing and improved home care techniques to help stop the ongoing damage caused by periodontal disease.