Management of chronic periodontitis using diode laser and tetracycline fibers

Periodontal disease is host immune-mediated inflammatory disease with periods of progression and periods of remission. It results in the breakdown of supporting connective tissue and alveolar bone with the resultant permanent loss of the teeth. There are nonsurgical and surgical therapies available along with local and systemic antibiotic adjuncts. The diode laser therapy is an effective adjunct along with nonsurgical treatment in treating periodontitis. The diode laser not only removes infected sulcular epithelium but also infected connective tissue even in anatomically inaccessible niches. It fastens the treatment and healing with more patient comfort. To overcome antibiotic resistance due to systemic administration, local drug delivery agents are effective in eliminating the bacteria. The antimicrobial agents used as local drug delivery agents include tetracycline, ofloxacin, clindamycin, chlorhexidine, etc., Tetracycline, as well as its derivatives doxycycline and minocycline, are the most commonly used antimicrobial agents in the treatment of periodontal infections. These local drug delivery agents are used either alone or as an adjunct with scaling and root planning.