Arestin Treatment in Glendale, AZ: Targeted Antibiotic Therapy for Gum Disease
When gum disease progresses beyond what routine cleaning alone can address, a more targeted approach is needed. At A & A Family Dentistry, Arestin treatment in Glendale, AZ gives us a powerful tool to fight the bacterial infection driving periodontal disease directly at its source. ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) is a locally delivered antibiotic that is placed directly into infected gum pockets immediately after scaling and root planing, extending the effects of treatment and improving outcomes significantly. If you have been told you have gum disease or deep periodontal pockets, contact our Glendale office to discuss whether Arestin is right for your situation.
What Is ARESTIN®?
ARESTIN® is an FDA-approved antibiotic treatment in the form of tiny, biodegradable microspheres containing minocycline hydrochloride. Unlike oral antibiotics that travel through the entire body, Arestin is applied locally, meaning it is deposited directly into the infected periodontal pockets where the bacteria causing gum disease live and multiply.
Because the medication is placed precisely where it is needed, it achieves a far higher concentration at the infection site than a systemic antibiotic could deliver, while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body. The microspheres release the medication gradually over time, continuing to fight bacteria long after your appointment is over.
Clinical studies have shown that ARESTIN® fights infection and inflammation for up to 30 days after placement and provides significantly better results than scaling and root planing alone for up to 90 days.3
Understanding Periodontal Disease and Why Antibiotics Help
Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection that develops below the gumline. It begins when plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth, is not removed consistently through brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar and bacteria migrate into the space between the tooth and the gum, forming pockets that deepen as the infection progresses.
The American Academy of Periodontology estimates that nearly half of American adults have some form of gum disease. Left untreated, it leads to bone loss around the teeth, gum recession, tooth mobility, and eventually tooth loss. Gum disease has also been linked to systemic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and complications during pregnancy.
The challenge with treating periodontal disease is that the bacteria responsible for the infection live deep within these pockets, in an environment that brushing and flossing simply cannot reach. Mechanical treatment through scaling and root planing removes the buildup from root surfaces, but bacteria can repopulate the pocket quickly without additional intervention. This is precisely where ARESTIN® makes a measurable difference.
How Arestin Treatment Works
Arestin is always used in combination with scaling and root planing, never as a standalone treatment. Here is how the combined approach works:
Step 1: Scaling and Root Planing
Your hygienist or Dr. Ardalan performs a thorough deep cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial deposits from the root surfaces below the gumline. The root surfaces are also smoothed to make it harder for bacteria to re-adhere. This procedure is typically completed with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
Step 2: ARESTIN® Placement
Immediately after scaling and root planing, while the pocket is clean and disrupted, ARESTIN® microspheres are applied directly into each infected pocket using a small applicator. The placement takes only seconds per site and causes no additional discomfort. The microspheres conform to the shape of the pocket and adhere to the surrounding tissue.
Step 3: Sustained Antibiotic Release
Once placed, the biodegradable microspheres slowly release minocycline into the pocket over the following weeks. The antibiotic is active against the specific red-complex bacteria most responsible for periodontal destruction, including P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola.2 As the medication releases, the microspheres gradually dissolve on their own. No removal is necessary.
Step 4: Follow-Up and Ongoing Maintenance
After your Arestin treatment, we schedule a follow-up to evaluate how your gum tissue has responded and measure pocket depths. Most patients with gum disease benefit from an ongoing periodontal maintenance schedule rather than standard six-month cleanings, as this more frequent monitoring helps prevent the disease from progressing further.
Arestin vs. Scaling and Root Planing Alone: Why the Combination Matters
Scaling and root planing is effective and necessary, but it has limitations. Research consistently shows that adding ARESTIN® to the treatment significantly improves results compared to mechanical cleaning alone.
| Outcome Measure | Scaling and Root Planing Alone | Scaling and Root Planing + ARESTIN® |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket depth reduction | Moderate improvement | Significantly greater reduction3 |
| Bacterial reduction | Immediate, but bacteria recolonize | Extended elimination of red-complex bacteria for 30+ days2 |
| Duration of benefit | Shorter window of effectiveness | Measurably better results for up to 90 days3 |
| Inflammation control | Reduced with treatment | Further reduced with sustained antibiotic activity1 |
For patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease or persistently deep pockets, this difference in outcome is clinically significant and can be the factor that determines whether gum disease is brought under control or continues to progress.
Who Is a Candidate for Arestin Treatment in Glendale, AZ?
Not every patient with gum disease will require ARESTIN®. Patients with early-stage gingivitis who respond well to professional cleaning and improved home care may not need antibiotic adjunct therapy. ARESTIN® is typically recommended for patients who:
- Have been diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis
- Present with periodontal pockets measuring 5mm or greater after scaling and root planing
- Have a history of recurring gum disease despite regular maintenance
- Show signs of active infection or inflammation at specific sites in the mouth
- Are at higher risk for periodontal disease due to systemic health conditions such as diabetes
During your examination and cleaning appointment, our team measures your periodontal pocket depths at multiple sites around each tooth. This data tells us exactly where active disease is present and which sites would benefit most from targeted antibiotic therapy. Treatment is always personalized based on your specific clinical findings.
What to Avoid After Arestin Treatment
To protect the ARESTIN® microspheres while they do their work, there are a few important aftercare guidelines to follow in the days and weeks after your appointment:
- Avoid touching the treated areas with your fingers, toothpick, or any other object for at least one week
- Do not floss around the treated sites for 10 days after placement to allow the microspheres to remain in the pocket undisturbed
- Avoid eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods for one week following treatment
- Do not use an oral irrigator near the treated areas for 10 days
- Continue brushing gently around the treated areas, avoiding direct contact with the gum pockets themselves
- Notify our office if you experience unusual swelling, severe sensitivity, or any signs of an allergic reaction
These precautions ensure the microspheres stay in place long enough to deliver the full course of antibiotic therapy. Following your aftercare instructions is an important part of getting the best possible result from your treatment.
ARESTIN® and Your Long-Term Gum Health
Gum disease is a chronic condition, which means that even after successful treatment it requires ongoing management to prevent recurrence. Patients who have been treated for periodontal disease are placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule, typically every three to four months, rather than the standard twice-yearly recall. These visits allow our team to monitor pocket depths, remove new bacterial deposits before they cause further damage, and apply additional ARESTIN® therapy at any sites showing signs of reactivation.
Strong at-home habits between visits are equally important. Consistent brushing, daily flossing, and following the oral hygiene guidance our team provides helps keep bacterial levels low and extends the benefit of your professional treatment. Together, professional care and diligent home care give you the best possible chance of stabilizing gum disease and maintaining the teeth you have for life.
For a full overview of how we approach periodontal disease from detection through long-term management, visit our gum disease treatment page. To ask questions or schedule a periodontal evaluation, contact our Glendale office or review our new patient specials if you are visiting us for the first time.
Call 623-218-2222 to schedule your Arestin evaluation at A & A Family Dentistry in Glendale, AZ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arestin Treatment in Glendale, AZ
Does Arestin treatment hurt?
No. ARESTIN® is placed immediately after scaling and root planing while the area is still numb from local anesthesia. The placement itself takes only seconds per site and causes no additional discomfort. Any sensitivity experienced after the anesthesia wears off is typically mild and related to the scaling and root planing rather than the Arestin placement.
How long does Arestin stay in the pocket?
The biodegradable microspheres release medication actively for approximately 30 days and continue providing measurably better results than scaling and root planing alone for up to 90 days.3 The microspheres dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed.
Can I brush and floss normally after Arestin?
You should brush gently around the treated areas but avoid flossing near the treated sites for 10 days after placement. This allows the microspheres to remain in position while the antibiotic is released. Your hygienist will give you specific instructions based on which areas were treated.
Is Arestin safe?
Yes. ARESTIN® is FDA-approved and has been studied extensively in clinical trials. Because it is delivered locally rather than systemically, the amount of medication entering the bloodstream is minimal. Patients with a known allergy to tetracycline-class antibiotics should inform our team before treatment, as minocycline belongs to this family of antibiotics.
Will my insurance cover Arestin treatment?
Coverage for ARESTIN® varies by insurance plan. Some plans cover it as part of periodontal treatment benefits, while others may require a predetermination of benefits. Our team is happy to verify your coverage before your appointment. For more information, visit our insurance and financial information page.
How many times can Arestin be used?
ARESTIN® can be applied at any appointment where active disease is detected at a site. Patients on a periodontal maintenance schedule may receive Arestin at specific sites on multiple occasions over time whenever clinical indicators suggest it is warranted.
What is the difference between Arestin and a regular antibiotic prescription for gum disease?
Oral antibiotics for gum disease travel through the entire body and deliver relatively low concentrations of medication to the specific pocket sites where infection is active. ARESTIN® is placed directly into the infected pocket, achieving a much higher local concentration right where it is needed while limiting systemic exposure. This targeted approach is more effective for site-specific disease and avoids the side effects associated with a full course of systemic antibiotics.
1. Oringer RJ, Al-Shammari KF, Aldredge WA, et al. Effect of locally administered minocycline microspheres on markers of bone resorption. J Periodontol 2002;73:835-842.
2. Goodson JM, Gunsollwy JC, Grossi SG, et al. Minocycline HCl microspheres reduce red-complex bacteria in periodontal disease therapy. J Periodontol 2007;78(8):1568-1579.
3. Williams RC, Paquette DW, Offenbacher S, et al. Treatment of periodontitis by local administration of minocycline microspheres: a controlled trial. J Periodontol 2001;72:1535-1544.
