Ozone in Dentistry

Abstract

Ozone (triatomic oxygen or trioxygen) is the combination of three naturally occurring oxygen atoms. Ozone therapy is an alternative to traditional approaches in dentistry. The main feature suggests that ozone can be used in dentistry as a strong antimicrobial agent. In addition, ozone has antimicrobial, immune system regulatory, metabolic rate, and biosynthesis-enhancing effects. Ozone affects cellular and humoral immunity. It has positive effects on oxygen transport in the body; production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP); and production of enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Ozone use in dentistry can be made possible via ozone gas, ozonated water, ozonized olive, or sunflower oil. Ozone is used in periodontology (gingivitis, periodontitis, periimplantitis, surgical injuries, prophylaxis), oral pathologies (stomatitis, aphthous ulceration, candidiasis, herpes infections), endodontics (root canal treatment, the fistula, abscesses), oral surgery (hemostasis, wound healing, implantation, reimplantation, tooth extraction), prosthodontics (disinfection of crowns, disinfection of the alloy part of partial dentures), orthodontics (TME function disorders, trismus, myoarthropathies), and restorative dentistry (caries, dentine hypersensitivity, cracked tooth syndrome, bleaching, disinfection of cavity). As a result of the studies performed, ozone therapy in dentistry should be considered as an aid to conventional treatments.

The Biological Effects of Ozone Gas on Soft and Hard Dental Tissues and the Impact on Human Gingival Fibroblasts and Gingival Keratinocytes

“…A plethora of proven health benefits were described for ozone, as follows: the stimulation of oxygen metabolism; an increase in the glycolysis rate of red blood cells and activation of the immune system; the stimulation of immunoglobulin synthesis and proliferation in immune cells; an anti-inflammatory effect by promoting the synthesis of interleukins, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes; and an augmented wound healing process [6,7].…”

“…Even though ozone exerts multiple oral health beneficial effects, it must be remembered that ozone is a strong oxidizing compound and can be very toxic for the bronchiopulmonary system after inhalation, causing a sore throat, augmentation of asthma, and even lung damage [31]. Long-term exposure to ozone is associated with several side effects, such as irritation of the upper airways, epiphora, rhinitis, coughing, bronchoconstriction, headaches, and vomiting [7].…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Use of Ozone Therapy in Dentistry

“…It is immune, stimulatory, anti-hypoxic, vasodilatory, detoxicating and biosynthetic in nature. In addition ozone is a potent reparative agent for pulp tissue and it is biocompatible (Alpan and Bakar, 2018). Cleaning pits and fissure caries before ozone treatment is a must.…”