Ozone
Diatomic in nature, oxygen, or O2, is a stable molecule. Triatomic oxygen, or O3, has an extra oxygen molecule that is negatively charged. This triatomic molecule is unstable, and naturally wants to lose the extra oxygen atom. This negatively charged oxygen atom is attracted to anything nearby with a positive charge, like a bacterial or viral cell wall (think elimination of pathogens). When this negatively charged atom hits that cell wall…pop! That oxygen atom spares most human cells though, since as higher organisms, we generally have anti-oxidants on our outer cell walls. The bacteria and viruses though; they aren’t so lucky! Ozone is nature’s way of disinfecting most everything in the environment.
When used properly in the medical and dental settings, it’s anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties are extremely useful for a myriad of therapies, including:
- Hygiene: ozone water swishes are given to all patients in the practice to decrease the spread of pathogens during the dental appointment, both viral and bacteria.
- Periodontal (Gum) Disease: helps disinfect areas of gum infection
- Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatments: aids in disinfecting the root canals system during root canal therapy
- Surgery: aids in disinfecting extraction sockets and abscesses when ozonated saline and/or ozonated gas are used as an adjunct to surgery
- Tooth Desensitization: ozone can aid in decreasing root tooth sensitivity to a degree
- Deep Tooth Decay: theoretically, using ozone gas in the bowels of a deep cavity prep may help kill bacteria and reduce the likelihood for the subsequent need for a root canal
- Increases circulation
- Stimulates the humoral anti-oxidant system
Medical grade ozone usage is an emerging therapeutic that Dr. Nick uses every single day in his dental practice. He owns 3 ozone generators because they get used so much!
