USE OF LOCALLY DELIVERED METAL IONS FOR TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

摘要

Periodontal disease can be treated by the administration of metal ions, preferably silver ions, to the site where the microorganisms that cause this disease reside. Administration can be to periodontal pockets or adjacent to exposed tooth roots or alveolar bone during periodontal surgical procedures. The metal ions can be administered in polymeric microparticles, deformable films or microparticles embedded within deformable films. The metal ions are particularly microbiocidal to the bacterial pathogens that are the causative agents of periodontal disease.