Which locally delivered antibiotic is commonly used to treat localized periodontal pockets?

Minocycline microspheres (brand name Arestin) is an FDA-approved, locally delivered antibiotic placed directly into periodontal pockets as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. It provides sustained-release minocycline (a tetracycline-class antibiotic) in the pocket for approximately 14 days, targeting the gram-negative anaerobic bacteria associated with periodontitis. Other locally delivered antibiotics include doxycycline hyclate gel (Atridox) and chlorhexidine chips (PerioChip). For localized aggressive periodontitis, systemic amoxicillin plus metronidazole is the preferred systemic antibiotic combination as an adjunct to mechanical therapy.