Restore Your Smile · Fishersville
Arestin: a targeted antibiotic for stubborn gum pockets.
When a deep cleaning by itself isn't enough to settle a deep gum pocket, your hygienist on Medical Park Drive may place Arestin — a slow-release antibiotic that goes right where the infection lives and keeps working for weeks.
How Arestin fits into a real gum-disease plan
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that lives below your gumline, where neither your toothbrush nor your floss can reliably reach. The first line of treatment at our Medical Park Drive office is scaling and root planing: your hygienist physically removes the hardened plaque and bacterial biofilm clinging to your roots, smooths the root surfaces so it's harder for new buildup to grab on, and gives your gum tissue a real chance to reattach.
Most pockets respond. Some don't — anatomy, smoking, diabetes, or genetics can all keep one or two pockets stubbornly deep even after a thorough deep cleaning. That's where Arestin comes in. Right after scaling and root planing, the microspheres are tapped into the pocket. They bond to the pocket wall, then slowly dissolve over the next month, releasing minocycline directly against the bacteria that wouldn't quit.
What you'll experience
- No injection or numbing needed for the placement itself
- About one to two minutes per pocket
- Soft-food diet for the first 12 hours
- No flossing or brushing of the treated sites for 10 days
- A follow-up periodontal maintenance visit at 3 to 4 months
Your hygienist will track pocket depths over the next year so we can see, in real numbers, whether the bacteria are being kept in check. If a pocket worsens later, Arestin can be reapplied — or your dentist may suggest a referral to a Shenandoah Valley periodontist if the picture changes.
Clinical references
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Wondering if Arestin is right for you?
The first step is a periodontal evaluation on Medical Park Drive. You'll get clear pocket-depth measurements and a written plan before any therapy begins.
Arestin questions patients ask most
What is Arestin and when do you use it?
Arestin is a locally placed antibiotic — minocycline microspheres — that goes directly into a gum pocket right after scaling and root planing. Your hygienist may suggest it on Medical Park Drive when one or more pockets stay deep after a deep cleaning, so the antibiotic can keep working at the source for weeks instead of hours.
Does an Arestin placement hurt?
No anesthetic is needed for the Arestin placement itself — the powder is dispensed into the pocket with a small applicator after your scaling and root planing is finished. Most patients describe it as a quick, gritty feeling and nothing more. You're back to normal within minutes.
How long does Arestin keep working?
Arestin releases minocycline below your gumline for about 30 days, and clinical trials show better pocket-depth reduction than scaling and root planing alone for up to 90 days. That gives your gum tissue a real window to heal before bacteria repopulate the pocket.
Are there foods or activities I should avoid afterward?
For the first 12 hours, skip hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, and don't floss or brush aggressively in the treated areas for 10 days so the microspheres stay seated. You can rinse, eat soft foods, and go back to your normal routine right away — your hygienist will hand you written instructions before you leave.
Will my insurance cover Arestin?
Some dental plans cover Arestin under the periodontal benefits category and some don't. Our front desk will check your specific plan before placement and walk you through the out-of-pocket cost in writing. If you're a Virginia Dental Club member, ask about the 20% off most non-preventive services.
Will I still need regular periodontal maintenance after Arestin?
Yes. Arestin is a tool inside a larger periodontal plan, not a one-and-done cure — gum disease is a chronic condition. Most patients move to a 3-to-4-month periodontal maintenance schedule at our Fishersville office afterward, where your hygienist measures pocket depths and watches for any pockets that need attention again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What patients ask us most.
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