A 4-D approach for amelioration of periodontitis.

Global prevalence of the severe periodontitis is at the alarming stage and its association with the systemic complications is highly evident which cannot be neglected. An insight into the pathophysiology of the periodontitis reveals that the promising amelioration could only be envisaged with the 4-D/multi-pronged approach of combining antibiotic along with the host modulating agents. The complications of the disease itself suggest that the use of antibiotic alone is not able to cater the symptoms completely. There is a need of other host modulatory agents too, such as Cyclo-oxygenase -II (COX II) enzyme inhibitors, Matrix metalloproteinase's (MMPs) inhibitors and osteo-integrating agents. Also, there is an unmet need of singular treatment modality through which all these agents can be sequentially and directly delivered into the periodontal cavity. The current hypothesis takes it a step forward wherein an antibiotic is combined with other three host modulatory agents in a singular drug delivery system. The encapsulation of multiple therapeutic agents with controlled release would therefore allow for reduced drug dose thus minimizing side effects; contributing to enhanced patient compliance and treatment efficacy. Hence this approach can be presented as a 4-D/multi-pronged approach for circumvention of periodontitis.