A 41-year-old member asked:
Should i have tetracycline removed from my gums?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Simon Rosenberganswered
Prosthodontics 48 years experience
Why is it there?: Tetracycline (arestin, atradox) is inserted in deep gum pockets between the teeth and gums to kill destructive bacteria and encourage pocket depth reduction and reattachment of the gum to the tooth. These tetracyclines do not need to be removed as they dissolve with time. If you refer to tetracycline staining of teeth, no treatment is needed except for cosmetic reasons.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Dinh Buianswered
Dentistry 25 years experience
No: If you refer to a situation where an antibiotic impregnated carrier inserted into your gum to fight infection, they usually self resorbable and thus does not needed to be removed. However, these treatments are only adjunctive, applied to only isolated cases and thus usually are not required for the successful outcome of periodontal therapy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Please repost your ?: Please explain who placed the tetracycline, for what purpose and why you would consider having it removed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 10, 2013
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