We re-evaluated several antibiotics including newer ones, for their in vitro killing activity, as well as their inhibitory activity, against clinical isolates of periodontopathic bacteria. Tetracyclines were active against Porphyromonas gingivalis, and were highly active against Prevotella intermedia, but demonstrated only a low killing activity against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Rokitamycin, a new macrolide, and clindamycin were highly active against P. gingivalis and P. intermedia, but showed very weak killing activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans. Quinolones demonstrated excellent bactericidal activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans, and good inhibitory and bactericidal activity against P. gingivalis and P. intermedia. Metronidazole had an activity almost equivalent to quinolones against P. gingivalis and P. intermedia; but it was the least active against A. actinomycetemcomitans.