Arestin® is a bioresorbable gel containing minocycline (a tetracycline derivative) microspheres. It has been FDA approved for treatment of gum disease after a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing.
How does it work on gum disease?
When placed in a periodontal pocket, Arestin® maintains a high-level of antibiotic right at the gum disease site without exposing the rest of the body to antibiotics. This allows treatment using one-hundredth the usual pill-form dose. It directly fights the gum disease infection for 14 days.
How do I get the best results from my treatment with Arestin®?
Avoid touching the treated areas.
Wait 12 hours after your treatment before brushing teeth.
Wait 10 days before using floss, toothpicks, or other devices designed to clean between the treated teeth.
Avoid foods for 1 week that could hurt your gums.
Don’t chew gum or eat sticky foods.
After 10 days, resume cleaning between the treated teeth on a daily basis.
Remember, you must do your part. After your Arestin® therapy, if you don’t brush at least 2 times per day and floss every day, then any dental treatment of your gum disease will not work effectively.
To minimize the discomfort and encourage proper healing following your scaling and root planing, follow these instructions:
A little bleeding or “oozing” for the first 12-24 hours. Leave it alone as it is probably just minor. Some swelling and discoloration is normal following a surgical procedure in the mouth. It should reach its maximum in two-to-three days after surgery and should begin to diminish by the fifth post-operative day.
The most discomfort that you may experience may occur for a few hours after the sensation returns to your mouth. It may gradually increase again for 2-3 days, and then begin to diminish over the next few days.
THINGS TO DO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SURGERY:
Keep head elevated and rest. Do not suck or spit excessively. Do not pull your lip or cheek to look at the surgical site.
NOTE: Some “oozing” and discoloration of the saliva is normal. If bleeding is severe or persists, moisten gauze or a tea bag, wring out the excess water and place against the area from where the bleeding is coming from. Hold in place with moderate finger pressure for 20 minutes. Repeat as necessary.
Place ice or cold compresses on the region of surgery (ten minutes on ten minutes off) for the first 8-12 hours.
NOTE: Ice bags or cold compresses should only be used on the day of surgery.
Avoid smoking during the healing period (at least for 7 days, purchase the patch if necessary). It is recommended that you do not smoke for the first two weeks since smoking can interfere with the healing and make the results less predictable. If a bone graft was placed, it is recommended to quit for at least 6 weeks. Bone grafting results are not predictable in patients who continue to smoke.
Take medications as directed for PAIN. The Naproxen 550mg tablet prescribed can relieve mild-to- moderate pain. For more severe pain, take other prescription pain medication as directed. Remember that these medications can take up to 30 minutes to one hour to take effect. If you are using any of these medications for the first time, exercise caution with the initial doses (start with 1⁄2 a pill).
A nutritious liquid or soft diet will be necessary for the first weeks after the surgery. Do your best to NOT eat on the side surgery was performed. Healing will occur in weekly increments; therefore, it is best to gradually (in weekly increments) return the diet and/or other mouth/oral activities back to normal.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, one should REST. Patients who have sedation should refrain from driving an automobile or from engaging in any task that requires alertness for the next 24 hours.
DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA: For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start the natural healing process. Swishing, sucking through a straw, and smoking can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours.
BLEEDING: When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 minutes. Don't change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
SMOKING: Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful Dry Socket.
PAIN: Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, Take two Tylenol, Nuprin, Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever every 3 to 4 hours until bedtime to maintain comfort. Take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don't exceed the dose on the label. Taking with food or milk will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
NAUSEA: This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
SWELLING: Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
NUMBNESS: The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.
BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days.
RINSING: Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Rinsing can disturb the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and risk of dry socket. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon soda + 8 ounces warm water). Avoid commercial mouthrinses.
DIET: Eat soft foods for the first two days. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Return to normal regular meals as soon as you are able after the first two days. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.
ACTIVITY: After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
ANTIBIOTICS: If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
SINUS: If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS: You may need to return to the office to have sutures removed, or just for a brief follow-up healing check.
Please call your dentist if you have:
Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.
