Risk of bacterial resistance associated with systemic antibiotic therapy in periodontology.

Given the infectious nature of most periodontal diseases and the limited results that are sometimes achieved with conventional mechanical therapies, the use of antibiotics is warranted in certain cases. However, systemic antibiotic therapy is associated with certain risks, notably the development of antibiotic resistance in various bacterial species. In the past 20 years, reports of the existence of antibiotic-resistant, and even multiresistant, oral bacteria have been increasing. This article provides an update on the problem of antibiotic resistance among oral bacteria.