Current status of legislation regarding the use of ozone therapy in Dentistry

Abstract

Ozone (O3) is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms and occurs naturally in abundance in the upper atmosphere (GARG and TANDON, 2009). It has a characteristic, pungent odor, which gave the molecule its name (NAIK et al., 2016). O3 gas has high oxidation potential and is 1.5 times more effective than chlorine, for example, when used as an antimicrobial agent (NOGALES et al., 2008). It is undeniable that results from various high-quality studies on ozone therapy in Dentistry have proven very promising - in some cases even superior to conventional treatments - particularly regarding certain oral lesions, the alleviation of temporomandibular disorder symptoms, post-operative recovery following third-molar surgery, and the treatment of cavities and oral infections. However, ozone therapy has specific indications and must be used with care and responsibility by qualified professionals, tailored to each clinical situation.