Bullet for periodontal disease in future: Chemically modified tetracyclines

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis is nowadays popularly regarded as Dysbiosis, [1] which causes destruction of tissues rich in collagen like periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and gingival connective tissue. The oral biofilm comprises many periodontal pathogens better regarded as ‘triggers’ in causing chronic periodontitis. Since, not everyone will be affected in the same manner due to periodontal pathogens. Some might not elicit a host response while, the others might have exaggerated response. So, host modulation therapy came into existence to counteract the exaggerated host response. The chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs) have emerged to inhibit the inflammatory response or to reduce the collagenolytic activity of host. Though a derivative of tetracyclines, it still lacks an antimicrobial action and hence, can be used for periodontitis for longer duration with no adverse effects of gastrointestinal toxicity which parent tetracyclines have.