Ozone has a long history in medicine, with the first ozone generator for medical use patented by Nikola Tesla in 1896. Over the last few decades, its powerful antimicrobial properties have been harnessed to complement traditional dental procedures, enhancing treatment outcomes. At Apex Dental, we underscore the importance of precise and responsible use of ozone therapy. Our commitment is to deliver innovative care while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

At its core, ozone is a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms, often denoted as O₃. Unlike the oxygen we breathe (O₂), this tri-atomic structure is inherently unstable, making ozone highly reactive. This is where its antimicrobial properties arise.

When pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses come into contact with ozone, the third oxygen atom in the O₃ molecule easily breaks away, attaching itself to the pathogen. This process is called oxidation. During oxidation, the rogue oxygen atom destabilizes the pathogen’s cellular components by lysing its cell membrane. This rapid breakdown destroys the microorganisms, triggering the immune system to perform clean up duty, thus stimulating immunocompetent cells to help fight these pathogens more efficiently in the future.

Beyond its antimicrobial prowess, ozone plays a pivotal role in tissue health. As it breaks down, ozone reverts to O₂, enriching the surrounding environment with oxygen. Elevated oxygen levels stimulate cellular metabolism and enhance the body’s innate healing processes. This leads to improved oxygenation of tissues and accelerates their regeneration.
The combination of disinfection, immunostimulation, and oxygenation makes ozone therapy exceptionally valuable in medical and dental therapeutic applications.

Treating Deep Caries:

Ozone gas has the ability to penetrate into dental caries, destroying the pathogenic bacteria in the site. This makes ozone a great adjunct in the management of deep caries, allowing disinfection of the affected areas prior to restoration. While ozone proves efficient in this regard, it’s pivotal to understand that it complements, not replaces, traditional cavity treatments for deep decay, serving as an adjunctive measure to enhance outcomes.

Treatment to Arrest Inoperable or Incipient Caries:

There are times when ozone gas is indicated for management of caries without traditional treatment. This would include noninvasive ozone gas treatments of incipient, or reversible, enamel caries. Another indication would be a young child with active caries who is unable to tolerate dental treatment. In this instance, ozone gas could be utilized in the lesions to eliminate the pathogenic bacteria and arrest the decay process until the child is old enough and cooperative enough for proper care of the lesions. In both of these circumstances, it is very important to pair this with daily use of a remineralizing toothpaste containing nano-hydroxyapatite.

Enhancing Routine Cleanings with Ozonated Water:

The addition of ozonated water to routine dental cleanings and lavage is very effective at breaking up the bacterial biofilm that grows more pathogenic as it matures. Enhancing the elimination of oral pathogens leaves a fresh oral environment for a healthy microbiome to repopulate.

Managing Periodontal Disease with Ozone Gas:

In treatment of periodontal disease, ozone gas is a very effective disinfectant and oxygenator of deep periodontal pockets. Introducing ozone gas into these pockets disrupts the pathogenic anaerobic bacterial populations in the base of the sulcus, introducing oxygen to enhance healing and leading to an improvement in gum health with a decrease in inflammation.

Ozonated Olive Oil for Oral Health and Healing:

Ozonated olive oils (OOO) bring with them an array of therapeutic attributes beneficial for both hard and soft tissue health. OOO can be a very effective topical treatment to speed healing and reduce discomfort of cold sores and other traumatic or inflammatory lesions of the oral mucosa. We will oftentimes incorporate ozonated olive oil into our homecare recommendation for periodontal inflammation and occasionally for incipient caries, as well.

Ozone Gas in Extractions and Oral Surgery:

If the pulp tissue of a tooth becomes infected or necrotic, that infection can only be removed by extraction of the tooth or by root canal treatment, which saves the tooth but removes the infected pulpal tissue. The network of pulp tissue inside teeth can be very complex, particularly in molars and premolars. When saving the tooth is the ideal treatment, then root canal treatment must sterilize the canal system to the highest degree achievable. Coordinated with strict mechanical debridement, irrigation with ozonated water and insufflation with ozone gas will not only sterilize the main canal system, but will also infiltrate the complex network of lateral and accessory canals. A sterile canal system maximizes the success of root canal treatment and minimizes the chance of reinfection.

Ozone therapy, when administered with precision and adherence to established therapeutic protocols, is remarkably safe and free from side effects. Regarding safety and efficacy, ozone readily outperforms other disinfecting and therapeutic agents. Unlike chlorine, ozone has no toxic byproducts. Its main byproduct is oxygen- it doesn’t get much more non-toxic than that! Unlike the slow and limited effects of chlorine and hydrogen peroxide, ozone’s antibacterial oxidation is quick and efficient (3500 times faster than chlorine). At therapeutic doses and with proper scavenging systems, ozone is self-limiting and perfectly safe for human cells. At Apex Dental, the well-being of our patients is paramount; hence, we emphasize rigorous training and careful application and understanding of this treatment.

Ozone therapy stands as a testament to the innovative strides in modern dentistry, combining natural processes with cutting-edge technology for enhanced patient outcomes. Its role as a complementary tool offers a blend of traditional methods with advanced care, fostering optimal oral health. If you would like to explore the multifaceted benefits of ozone therapy, please inquire at your next dental visit and we can provide options and recommendations tailored to your unique dental needs.