Systemic medication and the inflammatory cascade

Periodontal disease is caused by inflammatory processes initiated by the presence of a biofilm. The management of this disease process is largely achieved by disrupting the biofilm to allow regression of inflammation and healing. As our patients are living for longer they are likely to have been exposed to systemic medications that aim to reduce inflammation. These drugs have been shown to decrease inflammation within the periodontal tissues despite not being a primary function of their use. This paper aims to review the relative effects of common systemic medications on the periodontal tissues by analyzing their modes of action and discussing current research and the implications for periodontal treatment.