the present invention provides an oral delivery system for the treatment of periodontal disease , being in a solid unit dosage form for administration to a patient and comprising : a biodegradable or bioerodible pharmaceutically acceptable polymer ; a therapeutically effective amount of at least one antibacterial agent ; and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti - inflammatory agent , the relative weight ratio between the antibacterial agent and the anti - inflammatory agent ranging from about 7 : 1 to about 1 : 5 . the system may further comprise at least one of a cross - linking agent , a plasticizing agent , a wetting agent , a suspending agent , a surfactant and a dispersing agent .