There are multiple benefits of ozone therapy that can be applied in dentistry:
- It can be used to disinfect the cavity preparation before placing the filling material. Oftentimes it is quite impossible to see if all of the harmful bacteria have been removed when we are cleaning the cavity site. This can lead to over-prepping the tooth or sometimes unintentionally leaving some bacteria behind. Using ozone gas intra-orally (which is tasteless and painless) can help disinfect the area since ozone gas penetrates 1.5 mm into the dentin and kills all the microorganisms it comes in contact with. Using this minimally invasive and conservative technique can help us make restorations last longer and prevent recurrent decay.
- It also helps desensitize the tooth. Using ozone helps prevent sensitivity after dental work. Also it is very effective for reducing sensitivity on the exposed root surfaces near the gum line.
- Ozone is an effective aid in treating bleeding gums. Gingivitis (and a more serious complication – periodontitis) is caused by aggressive bacteria festering in the gingival pockets. During routine cleaning we remove tartar and stain that bacteria produce as well as disrupt microbiome above the gumline, but we don’t go deep into the pockets to significantly affect bacteria that live there. Using ozone gas in gum pockets helps reduce the number of anaerobic pathogenic bacteria, spirochetes and amoebas that cause gingival inflammation and bleeding. Applying ozone for dental cleaning is painless and doesn’t require numbing.
- For patients with extreme general sensitivity or high risk of cavities or chronic gum disease, we can make custom trays that fit over the teeth for regular at-home ozone delivery. Patients can purchase ozonated oil that could be applied at home for maintenance and/or prevention. Custom fitted trays help keep ozone products against the teeth and gums longer, plus they help manage the taste of ozonated oil which can be quite strong.
- The antimicrobial properties of ozone gas help prevent cavity formation when applied in the compromised pits and fissures early on. It is also an effective way to sterilize the tooth surface before applying sealants.
- Oftentimes, patients are presented with a choice to extract an infected tooth or try to save it with root canal therapy. Ozone treatment can be beneficial in both options! Using this anti-microbial gas inside the infected canals improves the prognosis of the root canal procedure. If we choose to perform an extraction instead, it is very important to disinfect the site after extraction is completed to speed up recovery, proper healing, and prevent possible chronic infection in the area (“cavitation”).
For additional information regarding dental use of ozone, please come visit us! Also feel free to research the subject on IAOMT site and AAOT.US and see the following published literature: