Tetracycline In The Treatment Of Periodontal Disease

Tetracycline is widely used in treating periodontal disease.

Tetracyclines are mainly used in treatment of refractory periodontitis including localized aggressive periodontitis.
Tetracyclines have ability to concentrate in periodontal tissues and inhibit growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Tetracyclines exert an anticollagenase effect which inhibits tissue destruction and can aid in regeneration of bone.

Pharmacology

Tetracyclines are bacteriostatic and are effective against rapid multiplying bacteria. They are more effective against gram-positive bacteria as compared to gram-negative bacteria.
Concentration of tetracycline in gingival crevicular fluid is 2 to 10 times more than serum.

Tetracycline In Periodontics Clinical Use

They are used as adjuncts in treatment of localized aggressive periodontitis.
Systemic tetracycline eliminates tissue bacteria arrest bone loss and suppress growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans in combination with scaling and root planning.
Tetracycline should be given 250 mg four times a day.

Properties of tetracycline which are to value in management of periodontal diseases are:

Tetracycline and collagenase inhibition: These enzymes are derived from fibroblasts, epithelial cells, macrophages and neutrophils.
Tetracycline and bone resorption: The antiproteolytic properties together with anticollagenase activity has been resulted in the use of these drugs to inhibit bone resorption.
Anti-inflammatory effect of tetracycline: Potential antiinflammatory properties include the ability of tetracycline to suppress polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity.
Tetracycline and fibroblast attachment: Pretreatment of dentin with tetracyclines enhances fibroblast attachment and colonization. The drug also enhances fibronectin binding.
There effect is maximum in patient with localized juvenile periodontitis and refractory periodontitis.