AboutMark Bornfeld DDS Expertise I can respond to all questions dealing with the practice of dentistry, from both the dentist`s and patient`s perspective. I am knowledgeable about all dental disciplines, from cosmetic dentistry to surgery, from restorative dentistry to root canal treatment. I have strong opinions about controversial issues in dental practice, including those topics which directly impact on the reputation of the profession in the eyes of both the lay public and our health profession colleagues.
Experience
Past/Present clients Editor, Queens County Academy of General Dentistry newsletter; contributor to Dentistry.com 29 years practicing general dentistry partnered with brother Steve as one-half of the DentalTwins®
Question QUESTION: My dentist plans on doing SRP and arestin on my teeth. Well arestin in 4 pockets. Ive
researched it a bit and i have 2 questions. Once i get the arestin do i have to get it
again? Is it a one treatment thing? And also, will the arestin make it so i dont always
have to get a deep cleaning? that i can go back to getting a normal cleaning?
thanks for your help!
ANSWER: Dear ashley,
Arestin is used on an as-needed basis. As is the case for any therapeutic technique, there is never any guarantee that it won't be needed again.
As a matter of fact, Arestin is commonly used repeatedly as a regular adjunct for scaling and root planing. It's benefits are not consistently dramatic.
Periodontists (gum specialists) are generally lukewarm to the idea of under-the-gum medication, because their effects are incremental at best.
In my experience, Arestin is sometimes used inappropriately by general dentists to delay more aggressive (but more appropriate) treatment by a periodontist. Obviously, this is not in the patient's best interest, and merely delays the inevitable.
However, for mild cases of gingivitis, Arestin, coupled by proper SRP and effective oral hygiene, can be effective treatment. The caveat is that this regimen should not be used in cases where more aggressive treatment is more appropriate.
Hope this helps...
Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: thanks so much for responding so quickly. After i get the arestin, do i still
need to get a deep clean 6 months later for my check up? Or would i be able
to get a regular clean? Because I honestly cannot afford to get another 360
dollar deep clean
thanks again for all of your help
Answer Dear ashley,
That depends on your response to the initial treatment. One of the greatest complicating factors in therapeutic planning is the variability of patient response to a particular treatment. So, the answer is that it is probably impossible to predict whether or when you will need another deep cleaning; it may even be that a different treatment approach may be more appropriate if your response is short of what had been hoped.
