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Ozone Dental Treatment: A Non-Invasive, Natural Therapy

This therapy uses either pure ozone, ozonated water, or ozonated oil to safely kill microorganisms in the mouth and treat minor tooth decay (also known as dental caries). What are the benefits of ozone treatment? The benefits of ozone treatment are eliminating many dental problems such as remineralization, periodontal disease, and tooth sensitivity. Ozone can combat many dental issues without painful or invasive procedures. Unlike many traditional treatments, ozone therapy is noninvasive and painless. Your teeth and gums don’t need to be numbed to use it, and it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals that can negatively affect the immune system. Not every dental practice uses ozone treatments, but finding a dental office that offers ozone therapy can be highly beneficial. Ozone is a highly effective, gentle way to take care of teeth and gums.

How Does An Ozone Dental Treatment Work?

How is ozone used in dentistry? Ozone is used in dentistry by applying either ozone gas, ozonated water, or ozonated oil to the mouth. Over the course of a few minutes, the ozone works to kill pathogenic bacteria and decrease tooth sensitivity.

In ozone dental treatment, the dentist first uses an ozone generator machine to create ozone gas (O3) from oxygen molecules (O2). Some treatments use the ozone gas directly, while others mix the gas with water or oil to make an ozone solution used in the treatment.

The dentist applies the ozone gas or ozonated water to the patient’s teeth and gums, where it does its work. Ozone is a potent oxidant that is antimicrobial and acts as a disinfectant.

During treatment, the oxygen atoms in ozone interact with the pathogens that cause cavities and periodontal disease.

The oxygen oxidizes and kills the harmful microbes in the mouth and helps break down the plaque biofilms that lead to tooth decay.

One strength of ozone treatment is that it doesn’t damage healthy tissues. Our cells have antioxidants and free radical scavengers that fight the oxidative effects of ozone. Bacteria and other pathogens don’t have enough of these molecules, so the ozone kills them.

What is the strength of the ozone used in dental treatments? The strength of the ozone used in dental treatments depends on the treatment and equipment used. Ozone gas is typically used in small amounts directly in the mouth. Ozonated water usually contains around 4 mg/L ozone.

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Benefits Of Ozone Dental Treatment

What are the benefits of ozone therapy for dental health? There are many benefits of ozone therapy for dental health, including:

  • Elimination of Tooth Decay: Ozone therapy is the best way to treat mild tooth decay painlessly.
  • Effective Remineralization: Ozone treatment effectively repairs and remineralizes weakened enamel, with or without an additional remineralizing solution.
  • Minimally Invasive: In most ozone dental treatments, ozone is applied directly to the outside of the tooth or gums. There’s no dreaded drilling involved in ozone cavity treatment, which can relieve dental anxiety for nervous patients.
  • Reduction of Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by thin enamel. Because ozone is quite effective at repairing tooth enamel, it’s also a great way to treat sensitive teeth.
  • Canker Sore Treatment: Research has shown that ozone can effectively treat and heal canker sores. It helps reduce the pain caused by canker sores, too.
  • Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain: Ozone can be a very effective natural treatment for TMJ pain.
  • Safe, Effective, and Natural: Many dental treatments use toxic materials like mercury amalgam fillings. Ozone is a molecule found in nature, and it breaks back down to O2 within minutes of your dentist applying it.
  • Quick Results: Because there is no numbing needed and the application of ozone takes just a few seconds, treatment time is minimal.

There are so many potential uses and benefits that come along with ozone for dental care. What’s more, it eliminates the damage to the tooth structure and oral tissue that can come with more invasive conventional treatments.

Ozone Dental Treatment for Oral Health

Ozone can be used in many different dental treatments, including gum disease, remineralization, and endodontic procedures. Here’s how ozone can positively impact oral health in each option.

Ozone For Gum Disease

Ozone is effective in treating periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is usually caused by a buildup of plaque and bacteria. Typically, this occurs because of insufficient brushing and flossing habits.

As the bacteria multiply, they start to irritate the gums, causing inflammation. Eventually, the bacteria can cause a gap to form between your gums and teeth, called a periodontal pocket. If left untreated, abscesses can form, and tooth loss may follow.

Ozone treatments help destroy the bacteria that cause inflammation and gum disease. By bathing the gums in ozone, dentists eliminate the pathogens behind gum disease, ensuring that the gums and mouth stay healthy.

Ozone For Dental Procedures

Ozone can also be used in more complex endodontic dental procedures, like root canals. Dental professionals recommend root canals when the soft inner part of the tooth, the pulp, becomes infected or injured. Root canals are often needed when a very deep cavity forms.

Root canal treatment typically involves removing a small amount of the outer enamel and dentin of the tooth, then removing the inner pulp. Next, the dentist or endodontist will clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, traditionally with a chemical disinfectant or antibiotic.

Biological or holistic dentists may use ozone to disinfect the inner tooth instead of chemicals or antibiotics. Both ozone gas and ozonated water are effective against the bacteria and fungi most commonly found in dental pulp infections, yet don’t contain potentially harmful ingredients.

A well-cleaned root canal can avoid the chances of extraction and the need for a dental implant.

Ozone For Remineralization

Can ozone heal cavities? Yes, ozone can often heal very small cavities. However, some cavities that have developed untreated for a long time are too deep for the use of ozone. With regular dental visits, any cavities caught during an exam should be treatable with ozone.

Ozone treatment is an incredibly effective treatment for tooth decay. Pathogenic bacteria in the mouth secrete acids that weaken enamel. Over time, the bacteria continue to grow and cause decay and cavities.

Ozone destroys the cavity-causing bacteria without harming the tissues of the mouth. It also helps break down plaque that allows those bacteria to thrive. Without the bacteria and plaque, your saliva can naturally remineralize the teeth and strengthen enamel.

Ozone treatment can also help remineralize your teeth directly. Studies have shown the efficacy of this simple, tooth-strengthening treatment option.

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Is Ozone Therapy Safe?

Is ozone therapy safe? Ozone therapy is safe when used by a professional at the proper concentrations. Ozone has been in use in dentistry since 1930, much longer than many other common medical treatments.

Ozone therapy is used regularly in South America. The European Union has very stringent standards for medical treatments and has also approved ozone for dental use.

What are the side effects of ozone therapy? The side effects of ozone therapy are upper respiratory irritation and cough, most commonly. Side effects are rare with dental ozone therapy. If you’re concerned about side effects, talk to your dentist.

Like many therapies, ozone therapy does carry a risk if it’s misused. Inhaling concentrated ozone can irritate the throat and even cause lung damage. The chances of this happening in a dentist’s office are extremely low, however.

What is the difference between ozone and oxygen? The primary difference between ozone and oxygen is that ozone is made up of 3 oxygen atoms, and pure oxygen gas is made up of 2. Oxygen is present in large amounts in the air we breathe, unlike ozone.

What To Expect During An Ozone Dental Treatment

In general, ozone dental treatments are quick and painless. Here’s what will happen when you come in for your treatment:

  1. Your dental professional will talk you through what they will be doing and what you can expect during treatment.

  2. You’ll lie down in the dentist’s chair while your dentist prepares for the treatment.

  3. Your dental professional will turn on the ozone generator to produce the ozone that will be used during your therapy.

  4. The dental professional applies the ozone gas or ozonated water to your teeth and/or gums, wherever the treatment is needed.

  5. You’ll wait up to a minute or two for the ozone to work, then your treatment will be all done.

  6. Your dentist may have you wait around for a few minutes for the ozone to dissipate and break down before you leave.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Ozone Therapy?

Almost everyone is a good candidate for ozone therapy. Ozone therapy is an excellent option for people who have a strong aversion to traditional dental therapies like rotary drills or suffer from dental anxiety. Ozone therapy can also be a suitable choice for patients with reactions to dental anesthetics. Although most people have no issues with these numbing agents, a few do have adverse reactions. If cavities are small enough for ozone therapy, no anesthesia is needed.

Ozone dental treatment works best on relatively minor tooth decay and small cavities. If you have a cavity that reaches deep into the tooth’s dentin or even the pulp, ozone therapy will not be the best choice for you. Your dentist will tell you if your cavities are treatable with ozone. If you have asthma or other breathing problems, you should talk to your dentist to make sure ozone dental treatment is best for you. As with any treatment plan, let your dentist know about any other potential interactions as well.

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Is Ozone DentalTreatment Right For You?

Your oral health has a tremendous impact on your overall health and wellness. Choosing natural, holistic dental treatment modalities is vital to avoid filling the mouth with toxins. Biological treatments can also protect the health of the rest of your body, too. Led by the renowned Dr. Gerry Curatola, we’ve been on the cutting edge of dental treatments for years at Rejuv Dentistry. We would love to discuss ozone dental treatment and your dental needs.

Book a call today to hear about ozone therapy and the high-quality, biologic treatments available here at our Manhattan or East Hampton office.

Dr. Gerry Curatola is a renowned biologic restorative dentist with more than 40 years of clinical practice experience.

He studied neuroscience at Colgate University and attended dental school at the New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry where he now serves as Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care.

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