Aim: To investigate the local drug delivery of antimicrobials for overcoming the limitations of conventional therapy.  Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease involving supportive structures of the teeth which is seen universally in all groups, ethnicities, races and both genders. Various antibacterial agents have been used effectively in the management of periodontal infection. The effectiveness of mechanical debridement of plaque and repeated topical and systemic administration of antibacterial agents are limited due to the lack of accessibility to periodontopathic organisms in the periodontal pocket. Clinical Significance: These products provide a long-term, effective treatment at the site of infection at much smaller doses. Prospective multicentre studies considering risk factors for disease progression have to be designed to identify patients who may benefit the most from Local drug delivery. Conclusion: In co- occurrence with scaling and root planing, the adjunctive use of local drug delivery may improve the results in sites that don’t respond to conventional therapy.
Keywords: Periodontitis, Local Drug Delivery, Tetracycline, Metronidazole, Penicillin, Clindamycin, Chlorhexidine, Scaling & Root Planing.