ARESTIN® in Bethesda & Chevy Chase, MD

Periodontal disease is an aggressive gum disorder that only gets worse with time if treatment is not sought out as soon as possible. Thankfully, the art and science of modern dentistry have produced many options for the management of this disease, such as scaling and root planing for early-onset periodontitis, and laser gum therapy for more advanced cases. In addition to these treatments, there are also antibiotic options for the maintenance of periodontal disease that target the gum infection locally. At her dental practice, Smiles of Chevy Chase, experienced dentist Dr. Despina Markogiannakis can administer ARESTIN, a locally applied antibiotic, for those who may require additional maintenance in the treatment of their periodontitis. Contact our Chevy Chase, MD dental office, and schedule a thorough dental examination if you think you could be suffering from gum disease.

ARESTIN administered in conjunction with scaling and root planing treatments can benefit anyone who suffers from mild to moderate gum disease. Dr. Marko will assess the depth of your gum pockets during your examination and determine if receiving ARESTIN should be added to your periodontal disease maintenance program. When paired with scaling and root planing treatments, the locally applied antibiotic will work to directly target bacteria that exists deep inside the gum pockets. In addition to this, ARESTIN paired with SRP can also significantly reduce the size of the gum pockets in comparison to just receiving scaling and root planing treatments alone.

Administered via a disposable cartridge, ARESTIN will be directly distributed to your gum pockets by Dr. Marko. The antibiotic comes in the form of a dry powder, and the amount distributed will depend on the number of gum pockets being addressed. After ARESTIN has been administered to the necessary areas, the product will be absorbed by the surrounding gum pockets. This means that it will not have to be removed after time, and the area will not have to be sealed to keep the product contained. A local anesthetic is not required for the distribution of ARESTIN, and little to no discomfort can be expected during the administration process.

After your ARESTIN and scaling and root planing treatments, you should avoid consuming hard and sticky foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables or gum, for at least one week. In addition to this, you should also avoid flossing the treated area for 1 – 2 weeks. Some mild to moderate sensitivity of the treated areas can be expected, but this should go away after several days. Dr. Marko or a member of her team will meet with you before and after your treatment and let you know what to expect. If you experience any excess pain, swelling, or other abnormal problems following your ARESTIN paired with SRP treatment, please contact Dr. Marko at her dental office, Smiles of Chevy Chase.

If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, some of the costs of your ARESTIN treatments may be covered by your dental insurance. A member of our team will get in touch with your provider to ascertain your coverage. From there, we will determine any out-of-pocket costs. For some treatments, our office accepts medical financing, as well as an array of other payment methods.

Recovery from periodontal disease can be a long and daunting process. However, our excellent team at Smiles of Chevy Chase has a solution. With the antibiotic ARESTIN, patients suffering from gum disease can experience a quicker reduction of the size of their gum pockets, allowing their periodontal disease management to move along seamlessly. Locally applied ARESTIN directly targets unwanted bacteria within the gum pockets and is biodegradable. Contact our experienced dentist, Dr. Markogiannakis, at her Chevy Chase, MD dental practice if you have any questions about periodontal disease and management for the condition.