Chapter 6. Focal Drug Delivery for Management of Oral Infections

Abstract

Dental diseases, highly prevalent infection-related diseases in humans, include caries lesions, periodontal diseases and endodontic infections. Many pharmaceutical dosage forms are used to prevent and treat oral diseases; most are delivered focally and result in a local effect. The latest insights from the field of antimicrobial focal drug delivery led to the development of various systems designed to effectively combat the infection in the oral cavity, with minimal side effects. In the present chapter, the aetiology of common oral diseases (caries, periodontal diseases and endodontic infections), the characterization of infection–host interactions in oral disease, and classic dental treatment modalities are introduced. The organization of oral microbes in the form of biofilms and the intrinsic susceptibility characteristics of oral tissues, as well as the advantages of focal controlled drug delivery, are discussed. The recent development of various novel technologies for the prevention, control and treatment of oral infections are considered, including focal controlled treatment modalities for caries, periodontal and endodontic infections.