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Current Oral Health Reports
Published in: Current Oral Health Reports 4/2017

01-12-2017 | Epidemiology (M Laine, Section Editor)

Periodontal Abscess: a Review and the Role of Antimicrobial Therapy

Authors: Sachiyo Tomita, Atsushi Saito

Published in: Current Oral Health Reports | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim was to summarize current knowledge about periodontal abscesses and describe recent research on antimicrobial treatment.

Recent Findings

For periodontal abscess treatment, antimicrobial therapy is implemented as an adjunct modality to subgingival debridement and/or abscess drainage. Among available systemic antimicrobial agents, amoxicillin (plus clavulanate), metronidazole, and azithromycin are often used with good clinical results. In our studies of patients with acute periodontal lesions, systemic administration of a new fluoroquinolone, sitafloxacin, yielded a significant improvement in clinical parameters, and was effective against subgingival bacteria, with no significant impact on the antimicrobial susceptibility of periodontal bacteria.

Summary

Plaque control during initial periodontal therapy or maintenance care is critical for the prevention and treatment of periodontal abscesses. In the case of acute periodontal abscesses, drainage is considered first. When drainage is not possible or insufficient, antimicrobial therapy should then be considered. Microbiological testing can contribute to the successful treatment.
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Metadata
Title
Periodontal Abscess: a Review and the Role of Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors
Sachiyo Tomita
Atsushi Saito
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Current Oral Health Reports / Issue 4/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2196-3002
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-017-0157-8

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