PerioChip

PerioChip is used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. PerioChip may be used as a part of a periodontal maintenance program, which includes good oral hygiene and scaling and root planing. 

This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antimicrobials. It works by reducing bacteria in the mouth.

PerioChip comes as a dental chip. It is inserted by your dentist into the gum pocket at most once every three months.

Common side effects of the rinse include tooth discoloration, tartar buildup, and altered taste.

PerioChip is used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. PerioChip may be used as a part of a periodontal maintenance program, which includes good oral hygiene and scaling and root planing. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. 

The recommended dose of PerioChip (chlorhexidine dental chip) for the treatment of treat gingivitis, redness and swelling of gums, and to control gum bleeding is 2.5 mg chip every 3 months.

Serious side effects have been reported with PerioChip including the following:

• Pain or swelling. Notify your dentist promptly if pain, swelling, or other problems occur. (Some mild to moderate sensitivity is normal during the first week after placement of chip)
• The use of PerioChip in an acutely abscessed periodontal pocket has not been studied and therefore is not recommended.
• Although rare, infectious events including abscesses and cellulitis, which have been reported after scaling and root planing alone, have also been reported with the adjunctive placement of the PerioChip post scaling and root planing. 
• Avoid dental floss at the site of PerioChip insertion for 10 days after placement, because flossing might dislodge the chip. All other oral hygiene may be continued as usual.
• Dislodging of the PerioChip is uncommon; however, notify your dentist promptly if the PerioChip dislodges. 

Common side effects of the chip include toothache, headache, and upper airway infection.

This is not a complete list of PerioChip side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

PerioChip falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. PerioChip should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if the active ingredient in PerioChip crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using PerioChip.

Chlorhexidine may cause some tooth discoloration or increase in tartar formation. It is important to see your dentist for removal of any stain or tartar at least every six months or more frequently if your dentist advises.

Chlorhexidine may taste bitter to some patients and can affect how foods and beverages taste. This will become less noticeable in most cases with continued use of chlorhexidine.

To avoid changes in taste, rinse with chlorhexidine after meals.

Do not rinse with water or other mouthwashes immediately after rinsing with chlorhexidine.

Patients should avoid dental floss at the site of Chlorhexidine dental chip insertion for 10 days after placement, because flossing might cause the chip to fall out.