Local drug delivery in periodontology

Periodontitis describes a group of related inflammatory disease resulting in destruction of the tissues that support the tooth. It results from extension of the inflammatory process initiated in the gingiva to the supporting periodontal tissues. Clinical features of periodontitis include bleeding, pus discharge, halitosis, tooth mobility, functional impairment and ultimately tooth loss. Scaling and root planning is the basic treatment modality for periodontal disease. Mechanical treatment is limited by physical impediments and biochemical considerations. Antimicrobial agents may be used as an adjunct to overcome limitations of mechanical therapy. 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 antibacterials 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 review approaches the main local drug delivery systems for the administration of drugs to the periodontal pocket, their usefulness, as well as the advancement of these systems effectiveness in the periodontal therapy.