Ozone is a triatomic molecule containing three oxygen atoms. Despite rather known benefits of Ozone like protection from sunlight, usage in the public water system or to sterilize various fruits and vegetables, it has gained far more importance in the medical community in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

The ongoing popularity is attributed to the categorization of ozone as a “powerful agent” that can be used on a range of microorganisms including virus, bacteria, fungi and also carcinomas. This led to its profound use in the dental industry.

For the best minimal invasive dentistry experience, you can visit Sunnyvale Dental Group, CA or call (408) 739-9050 for an appointment.

Use in dentistry:

  • Periodontal diseases: Ozonated water is used to treat periodontal diseases. It is flushed below the gum line and ozone gas is infiltrated into the gum tissues.
  • Root canal: As a gas, ozone can get to places traditional liquids can’t because the gas can permeate the tiny tubules that cannot otherwise be accessed, thereby getting a truly sterile, bacteria-free root canal system before sealing the canals. Ozone is used in all forms during root canal treatment to kill bacteria, sterilize the canal system and to stimulate faster healing.
  • Removal of decay: Since ozone is a gas, it can permeate into areas below the gum line, into the grooves of teeth and over the smooth surfaces of the teeth and will kill bacteria on contact. If the decayed area, or cavity, is not too deep, then no restoration may be needed at all. If the area of decay is deeply cavitated and the bacteria is killed, then a filling can be placed often times with no need for numbing. Because ozone acts to recalcify tooth structure, areas of the tooth that have been treated with ozone are stronger than what was there before.
  • Sensitivity and safety: Because ozone can harden compromised tooth structure, flooding a sensitive area or tooth with ozone gas can effectively eliminate sensitivity. We have successfully addressed many patients’ sensitivity issues with ozone therapy. With ozone, cross-reactions are not a concern and one cannot be allergic to ozone.
  • Teeth whitening: Due to strong oxidation power of ozone, it is used as a whitening agent.

Why ozone therapy?

  • In comparison with traditional medicine like antibiotics or disinfectants, it is quite economical reducing both medical cost as well as invalidity.
  • It lessens the treatment time
  • The treatment is generally painless.
  • It has been more beneficial than present therapeutic modalities as it does not follow a conservative approach to dental treatment.
  • The bacterial count is more specifically eradicated.
  • There are no allergic reactions as one cannot become allergic to a compound of oxygen.

Procedure:

Cavities generally occur when the environment beneath the surface of the tooth turns acidic. Ozone kills the bacteria and neutralizes their acidic waste. Hence it creates a new environment that inhibits the growth of bacteria causing cavities. However, a growth of healthier bacteria is initiated.

The newly created environment due to the biochemical change allows the passage of minerals back to the tooth which hardens it and reverses the decay. It is further assisted by the minerals present in the saliva. Once re-mineralization has taken place, decay hardly happens.

This halting and healing the decay is radically changing the face of the dental industry as it keeps people away from the numerous complications of tooth decay. It hardens the compromised tooth structure thereby reducing sensitivity.

Post-Operative pain:

This occurs because of an inflammatory reaction with the pulp and results in hypersensitivity to thermal change accompanied by spontaneous pain. Ozone application may result in reduced bacterial infection and hence reducing the symptoms of post operative pain. This also reduces the demand for endodontic procedures.

Are you suitable for ozone therapy?

Ozone therapy is useful if your teeth are in initial stages of decay, if your teeth have a big cavity, it can’t be used to regrow the tooth structure. If some structure is still remaining, it can harden and the cavity can heal.