Antibacterial effect of ozone versus chlorhexidine gel for disinfection of cavitated carious lesions in young permanent teeth

Abstract

Purpose The study was directed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of ozone versus chlorhexidine gel for disinfection of cavitated carious lesions in young permanent teeth. Patients and methods Forty young permanent molars out of 20 children were allocated into two groups in a randomized technique according to the material used for cavity disinfection either ozone or chlorhexidine gel. Each child had two bilateral vital cavitated class I carious lesions in young permanent first molars. Dentin samples from deep caries lesions were collected before additionally after application of either ozone or chlorhexidine gel and cultured into freshly prepared appropriate media for microbiological examination. Results There were statistically significant decrease in both Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus bacterial count after application of either ozone or chlorhexidine gel in both groups. Conclusion Application of ozone or chlorhexidine gel as cavity disinfectant in deep carious lesions after incomplete dentin caries removal provide an obvious antibacterial effect reducing S. mutans and Lactobacillus counts.