Gum disease begins when a film called plaque accumulates on the teeth. Certain strains of bacteria that live in this plaque feed on gum tissue and bone. Your body tries to fight this infection with an inflammatory assault, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. This inflammation causes the tissue to bleed easily when you brush or floss. This stage of the condition is called gingivitis.
If the infection and inflammation persist, what results is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the gums and bone around the teeth are slowly destroyed, many times with no awareness or symptoms. At this stage, it is called periodontitis. Fortunately this can be treated with something called Atridox.
Treating Periodontitis with ATRIDOX® (doxycycline hyclate)
ATRIDOX (doxycycline hyclate) 10% is a major advancement in the treatment of periodontal disease. It is a locally applied antibiotic (LAA) that is placed gently below the gum line into periodontal pockets where bacteria thrive and cause infection.
ATRIDOX is the only locally applied antibiotic gel that flows deeply into infected pockets.
Flows freely and easily to the bottom of the pocket and adapts to root morphology
Controlled release of doxycycline for a period of 21 days
Bioabsorbability eliminates need for removal
Allows precise placement for targeted therapy
Single syringe effectively treats multiple infected pockets/sites
ATRIDOX is proven to achieve all three of the following outcomes in treating chronic adult periodontitis.
Gain in clinical attachment
Reduction in probing depths
Reduction of bleeding on probing
ATRIDOX is an easy-to-use gel that is applied with a syringe into the infected tooth pocket. ATRIDOX flows to the bottom of pockets and fills even the smallest spaces between teeth and gums. After ATRIDOX is applied, it hardens upon contact with oral fluids (saliva) to a wax-like substance, and the antibiotic is slowly released into the surrounding infected tooth pocket.
Side Effects
In clinical studies, ATRIDOX was generally well-tolerated. Side effects were similar to those of placebo. The most common side effects were: headache, common cold, gum discomfort, pain or soreness, toothache and tooth sensitivity. ATRIDOX should not be used by patients who are hypersensitive to doxycycline or any other drugs in the tetracycline class. The use of drugs in the tetracycline class during tooth development may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth. Tetracycline drugs, therefore, should not be used in pregnant women, unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.
If you’re in the Northridge area and looking to treat this, make your appointment today!