Theory III

a form of antimicrobial agent produced by or obtained from microorganisms that can kill other microorganisms or inhibit their growth; may be specific for certain organisms or may cover a broad spectrum

use of specific chemical or pharmaceutical agents for the control or destruction of microorganisms, either systemically or at specific sites

with reference to the clinical attachment level, which is the position of the periodontal attached tissue at the base of a sulcus or pocket as measured from a fixed point

the union of connective tissue or epithelium with a root surface that has been deprived of its original attachment apparatus; the new attachment may be epithelial adhesion and/or connective tissue adaptation or attachment, and it may include new cementum

the reunion of epithelial and connective tissues with root surfaces and bone such as occurs after an incision or injury

available for absorption by the body

susceptible of degradation by biological processes as by bacterial or other enzymatic action

tubular instrument placed in a cavity to introduce or withdraw fluid

treatment by means of chemical or pharmaceutical agents

local delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent to a site-specific area; may be a patch to be worn on the skin or a polymeric fiber, such as that used to deliver an agent to a periodontal pocket

a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used in medicine to examine inaccessible tissues by inserting a fiber-optic tube into the body

invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues

caused by microorganisms that are part of the normal microbiota of the skin, nose, mouth, and intestinal and urogenital tracts

caused by organisms acquired from outside the oral cavity or the host

occurs in a systemically or locally impaired host; opportunistic pathogens may not be highly virulent, but they can cause disease when the host defense is altered

instrumentation performed after the area has been exposed by tissue removal or the tissue is separated and laid back as a flap; visibility and accessibility allow more thorough treatment

not responding to usual treatment