Ozone Therapy in Dentistry - Explained in One Page

ABOUT OZONE

Ozone is one of the most useful and safe tools in the hands of a dentist. Ozone gas is made of three oxygen atoms (O3).

For the purposes of dentistry, it can be used as a gas or infused into water and oil. Dentists require a pure, medical grade of ozone gas.

Commonly, dentists use ozone for eliminating cavities, infections, sores, and decay. Even extremely deep decay can predictably be halted. However, the hole in the tooth cannot be fully repaired by ozone.1 It's also used in cosmetic dentistry and preventative care.  

OZONE IN DENTISTRY IS…

1. Safer. After it's applied, it reverts into oxygen (O2), making it a safe alternative to standard applications.  While you cannot breath ozone due to lack of antioxidant defenses in the lungs, it may be safely administered in other parts of the body and mouth.2,3 A suction is placed at the back of the throat to prevent breathing in ozone.
2. Great at removing infections. It's one of the most powerful antiseptics known to man. It quickly breaks down pathogens and infections.4,5,6
3. Can be used in multiple forms. It can be applied as a gas, water, or oil. Gas and water have immediate benefits while oil provides a sustained effect on the problem area.
4. Speeds up healing time. Applying ozone is commonly noted to stimulate a healing response, which reduces the time to heal the affected area.4,5,6

HOW OZONE IS APPLIED

Applying ozone is done by washing deep pockets with ozonated water. Then, ozone gas is sprayed into infected crevices. Afterwards, they may apply an ozonated gel or toothpaste for long term disinfection and healing.

Patients may also be given their own supply of gel and toothpaste for improved results.7

Ozone Gas Applied to a Tooth.

Gas may be injected into gums or sprayed in and around the tooth. A suction is used at the back of the throat to prevent breathing of ozone.‍

Water is created by infusing ozone gas into water. The ozonated water is then used to wash and irrigate wounds. ‍

Oil is a stabilized form of ozone because it creates ozonides. Ozone oil is a strong antiseptic that can be rubbed into the affected area, providing a sustained effect.

SOURCES AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

1. Baysan A, Whiley RA, Lynch E. Antimicrobial effect of a novel ozone-generating device on micro-organisms associated with primary root carious lesions in vitro. Caries Res 2000;34:498–501.
2. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5876-9-66
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16890971
4. Bocci V. Ozone: A New Medical Drug. The Netherlands: Springer; 2005
5. Estrela C, Estrela CR, Decurcio DA, et al. Antimicrobial efficacy of ozonated water, gaseous ozone, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine in infected human root canals
6. Steier, Liviu. (2004). Ozone: The Revolution in Dentistry.
7. Travagli, V et al. “Ozone and ozonated oils in skin diseases: a review.” Mediators of inflammation vol. 2010 (2010): 610418. doi:10.1155/2010/610418
8. https://isco3.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ozone-Therapy-and-Its-Scientific-Foundations-ISCO3-November-18-20121.pdf
9. Song M, Zeng Q, Xiang Y, et al. The antibacterial effect of topical ozone on the treatment of MRSA skin infection. Mol Med Rep. 2018;17(2):2449‐2455. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.8148
10. Kim HS, Noh SU, Han YW, et al. Therapeutic effects of topical application of ozone on acute cutaneous wound healing. Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2009;24(3):368–374.

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