Periostat is one of the latest products to be introduced to the dental market for the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Periostat is an orally administered tablet containing a novel formulation of 23.08mg doxycycline hyclate. Designed to be taken twice a day as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP), Periostat increases clinical attachment level gain and reduces probing depths in patients with chronic periodontitis. Periodontitis is characterised by periods of quiescence and unpredictable episodes of exacerbation. The underlying risk factors amplify tissue-destructive enzymes, resulting in disease progression that may manifest itself as attachment loss, bone loss and, in severe cases, tooth loss. The duration of treatment with Periostat, a prescription only medicine, will depend on the individual case but is recommended to be at least three months, and its use is approved for up to nine months to suppress the destructive collagenase enzymes and help stabilise the periodontium. Clinical evidence shows that Periostat produces clinically and statistically significant increases in attachment level gains as well as pocket depth reduction, in patients with moderate to severe periodontitis. Periostat is not intended to eliminate the need for clinical interventions or procedures that reduce the bacterial load in the periodontal pocket. Periostat is an adjunctive therapy, and is the only approved product formulated specifically to suppress the tissue destroying enzymes primarily responsible for the breakdown of the periodontium. To order or for further information on Periostat call Oraldent on 01480 862080/862084.

Reader response number 58