Local Drug Delivery

Periodontal diseases are considered infection of the periodontium, because there is bacterial etiology, an immune response, and tissue destruction. Putative pathogens associated with periodontal diseases are susceptible to a variety of antiseptics and antibiotics. Methods employed to convey antimicrobial agents into periodontal pockets have included rinsing, irrigation, systemic administration, and local application using sustained and controlled delivery devices. Mechanical therapy itself may not always reduce or eliminate the anaerobic infection at the base of pocket, with in the gingival tissues and in both structures inaccessible to periodontal instruments. To overcome this, addition of antimicrobials both systemic and locally would enhance a treatment protocol and serve as adjuncts to mechanical therapy. Systemic antimicrobial agents may reduce or eliminate bacteria that cannot be removed by scaling and root planning. However, adverse effects such as drug toxicity, acquired bacterial resistance, drug interaction and patient’s compliance limit the use of systemic antimicrobials. Thus to override these short comings, local deliveries of antibacterial agents into periodontal pockets have been extensively studied. This modem of drug delivery limits the drug to its target site and hence achieving a much higher concentration.