One of the most complex and challenging problems in dentistry today is infection control. The mouth is a sea of bacteria normally living in balance within the entire human body. Under certain conditions disease causing bacteria can become dominant, creating infection. These bacteria live together in what is called a biofi lm. This biofilm supports a mixed type of infection made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites. The complication is that each of these disease causing types needs a different drug to eliminate its dominance.
What if we had a technology that could eliminate the infection and, in addition, ENCOURAGE the health of surrounding tissue without toxic side effects? We do now with ozone therapy for dentistry.
HOW DOES OZONE THERAPY WORK?
What is Ozone? - Ozone (O3) is a gas that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi within seconds. It has been used for over a hundred years as a common water and air purifier.
Can I Be Allergic to Ozone? - No, it is impossible to be allergic to ozone. Ozone is just an energized form of oxygen. Ozone is naturally formed by the sun and lightning in storms. Without the ozone layer high in the atmosphere, life could not exist on our planet. Ozone actually filters out the sun’sharmful ultraviolet rays and, in addition, makes for that beautiful blue color in the sky.
HOW CAN OZONE HELP IN MY DENTAL CARE?
How can it help my teeth? First, the surface of the teeth are looked at with a small laser called the Diagnodent. It detects areas of bacteria that cause cavities and provides the level of decay that is present. The CMU3 handpiece is used to focus Ozone onto the decayed area for 60 seconds up to 10 minutes. Once these bacteria have been eliminated, a special remineralization fluid is placed on the cleaned area which begins the healing treatment.
Is there any pain?
No! The entire process from the laser readings, application of ozone on your tooth to the mineral wash are all painless.
How do I know if it has worked?
At a future visit we will check the Diagnodent laser readings. Studies conducted at Belfast University discovered that 99% of bacteria, viruses and fungi that were present in the tooth (including the bacteria inside a tooth that creates a cavity) were killed in less than a minute of Ozone treatment. In one study, 99% of cavities were halted. Of the control group in the same study, where teeth were left 80% of cavities became worse.
