Root canal procedures are among the most commonly performed dental procedures worldwide. As tooth decay and gum disease are rising, the need for root canal treatment to save grossly damaged teeth is only increasing exponentially. It has been estimated that over 5.6 million Britishers underwent root canal treatment in 2014/15 through the NHS alone, and many more would have opted for private treatment.
Although the success rate of root canal procedures is more than 90%, as per the British Endodontic Society, the conventionally used treatment can still lead to discomfort and complications in some patients. That is why, the focus of research these days is to discover clinically more favourable and painless techniques for root canal procedures. One such technique is the use of ozone for treating root canal infections.
But what is the link between ozone and root canals? You may ask! We will answer this question and many more in this blog. So, keep reading to learn more about ozone therapy and its uses in dentistry, especially in endodontic therapy.
What Is Ozone Therapy For Teeth? Is It Safe?
The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about ozone is the layer that protects our upper atmosphere. However, did you know that ozone is also used for treating teeth? The ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms bonded to create a negative charge, giving it a colourless appearance. Ozone finds its use in dentistry owing to its strong antibacterial and wound-healing properties.
Now, coming to the next question of ozone safety, research has shown that it may have some toxic effects if not used with care. However, it is completely safe if the procedure is performed by an experienced dentist who has undertaken additional training in ozone therapy.
What Are Your Thoughts On Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy is among the latest offerings in dentistry that aim to minimise pain and patient discomfort during dental procedures. So, ozone therapy can be used minimally invasively instead of conventional disinfection and bacterial-neutralisation procedures, providing considerably improved treatment outcomes.
What Do You Think Of Intravenous Ozone Therapies?
Since ozone mainly exists as a colourless gas, it can be expected to be mostly used through inhalation. However, recently, ozone has also been intravenously with excellent results. Research has shown that IV ozone therapy can effectively reduce viral load and improve one’s immune system and overall health. Besides, ozone IV therapy is also being investigated as a potential cure for COVID-19.
Root Canal Treatment And Root Canal Therapy, Are It Same?
Root canal treatment or root canal therapy both refer to the same procedure. According to the American Association of Endodontists, a root canal removes the inflamed pulp within the tooth to relieve underlying inflammation. So, both these terms refer to the same procedure.
What Is The Process If A Root Canal Gets Infected?
Root canals are the hollow cavities within the tooth that contain the sensitive tissue of the teeth, the dental pulp. The pulp tissue is protected outside by a solid and highly mineralised layer called enamel. If the enamel gets damaged due to tooth decay or trauma, the underlying pulp tissue is exposed. When this happens, one feels sharp, transient pain when they eat or drink hot or cold foods. However, if this problem is not corrected timely – the underlying pulp gets inflamed irreversibly, causing excruciating pain, which is not relieved with pain medication. In such situations, at this point the option to save the damaged tooth is to perform a root canal procedure and remove the inflamed pulp tissue. Ozone therapy has been used as a natural way to reduce infection and inflammation, and has proved to be a preventative treatment as well as also being used during root canal treatment to remove bacteria before filling the tooth.
What Are The Benefits Of Single-Sitting Root Canal Treatment?
The obvious advantage of a single-sitting root canal procedure is time-saving. Furthermore, single root canal procedures also minimise patient discomfort. However, dentists do not perform single-sitting root canal procedures routinely, since not every patient is a suitable candidate.
What Are Some Natural Ways To Treat Gum Disease?
The best natural way to prevent gum disease is optimal oral hygiene maintenance. How? By brushing one’s teeth at least twice daily and flossing once daily. Other ways may include:
- Use mouthwash to reduce gum disease risk significantly
- Eating fibre-containing foods – helps keep the teeth clean and massage the gums, thereby improving their health.
- Eating Vitamin C
- Using Ozone Therapy
How Do You Kill Bacteria In A Cavity?
Bacteria gain access to a tooth when its outer enamel layer gets destroyed. When this happens, the underlying dentine and pulp layers are too weak to prevent tooth degradation. The bacteria inside damaged teeth and gums release toxins that lower the local pH, removing minerals from the tooth structure. As a result, the tooth structure is further weakened. In such situations, the affected teeth are said to have become cavitated.
There are several ways dentists neutralise bacteria inside tooth cavities. For example, if a cavity is not deep, your dentist may apply an antibacterial agent, such as fluoride varnish or silver diamine fluoride, to kill the bacteria. If the tooth cavity is deep, dentists first remove the damaged tooth structure, along with the tooth tissue affected by the bacteria and replace it with a suitable filling. Ozone therapy has also been found to prevent dental cavities and even stop their further progression.
Are you looking for a reliable ozone therapy dentist in Bedford? Look no more! Munro Hall Clinic offers all dental services under one roof. So, book an appointment today and enjoy the benefits of minimally invasive dentistry.
Last Updated: March 8, 2023
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