Arestin
You may have heard about gum disease, also known as "periodontitis" or "periodontal disease." Maybe we recently told you that you have this infection. Periodontal disease is today's #1 cause of tooth loss among American adults? Although a causal relationship between periodontal disease and an elevated risk for systemic events has not been established, recent data suggest a possible association between periodontal disease and other health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and preterm low birth-weight babies?
We have a new drug to help us in our fight against gum disease; it’s called ARESTIN. ARESTIN® is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. This powder is placed inside infected periodontal pockets just after we finish a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure. The drug contains tasteless “Microspheres”, tiny, bead-like particles that are smaller than grains of sand and are not visible to the eye. The Microspheres are filled with the antibiotic minocycline, and they release the drug over time into the infected periodontal pocket, killing the bacteria that causes periodontal disease.
Many insurance plans provide some assistance with costs. You should talk with us about payment options and obtaining maximum reimbursement for treatment. In light of recent information linking periodontal disease to overall health, many insurance providers are increasing their coverage for these types of treatments. And, keep in mind that treating periodontal disease today is less costly and better for your health than waiting for the disease to cause tooth loss or lead to a more expensive periodontal or surgical procedure.
Dr. Barker
