Ozone Dental Therapy

If you are looking for the latest advancements in cutting edge dentistry procedures then look no further than ozone dental therapy. Although ozone therapy is being practiced by some dentists in the UK, it is still undergoing approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America. This latest dental treatment uses ozone, which is a reactive oxygen molecule, to kill bacteria in less than a minute. Some dentists are using it as an alternative to drilling and filling cavities.

How Ozone Therapy Works

High concentrations of ozone will kill bacteria very quickly, and the agent is around a thousand times more powerful than other bacteria killing agents such as bleach. Studies have shown that it only takes 10 seconds of ozone therapy to kill 99 percent of bacteria in a patient's teeth including fungi and viruses.

Dentists that do use ozone dental therapy claim that it is an excellent preventative measure in combating tooth decay. If you are the parent of a large family then think of the advantages of early prevention of tooth decay; no more expensive fillings or rotten teeth.

The Tools of Ozone Therapy

Decay and bacteria are identified in areas of the teeth, usually with the help of a laser. A suction cup is then used to direct the ozone onto the desired area. With the bacteria completely eradicated the dentist will then place a special mineralisation agent onto the clean area that enables the healing of the tooth. Follow up visits will be used to ensure that the bacteria have not reappeared; if it has then more ozone treatment may be needed. Patients can use mineral toothpastes and mouthwashes at home to help their teeth re-mineralise.

The Benefits of Ozone Dental Treatment

According to some, ozone treatment is excellent as a preventative measure against future decay and dental work needed to correct the damage caused by bacteria. Benefits also include:

• Eliminates the use of drills and fillings.
• Eliminates the use of anaesthetics.
• Kills 99% of bacteria in cavities.
• Can whiten discoloured cavities.
• Excellent for nervous or anxious patients.

Widespread Use of Ozone Dental Therapy

Although it has not yet been granted approval by the FDA in America, ozone dental therapy has been used for some time in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is used by some dentists in the UK, but also has its sceptics who think that may just be a flash in the pan gimmick that will die out. However, clinical tests by St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry proved that ozone dental therapy did show successful results.

Financial Cost of Ozone Dental Therapy

If you can find a dental practice that is advanced enough to perform this type of treatment, you will no doubt have to pay for it. As a long term preventative measure in combating tooth decay it is not prohibitively expensive, but the price will escalate depending on how many teeth are to be treated. It is unlikely that this treatment will be available on the NHS or will be claimable from dental insurance policies.

Ozone dental therapy could be the way forward in combating tooth decay and preventing the cycle of cavity decay. Most people are willing to pay the extra financial cost if long term benefits to their health can be seen. Contact your own dentist for more information on ozone dental therapy, he or she may be able to give advice or refer you to a dental surgery that provides this service.