Subgingival delivery of therapeutic agents in the treatment of periodontal diseases.

This article reviews the current status of controlled local delivery of antibacterial agents in the treatment of periodontitis. The principle of local intrapocket delivery of antibacterial agents and their delivery are discussed. The dosage forms include fibers, film/slabs, and injectable systems, some of which are degradable, while others are not and need to be removed at the termination of the treatment. The antibacterial agents used cover a range of antibiotics as well as antiseptics, and the composition of the delivery systems, their reported use, and the clinical results are summarized. The use of these systems in clinical practice is relatively recent, and therefore their application and integration into the dental office are not yet clearly defined. Clinical applications that have been tested are critically reviewed, and clinical situations in which controlled delivery of antibacterial agents may prove to be clinically useful are suggested for scientific evaluation.