Major approaches on the use of ozone therapy in endodontics: a concise systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Issues related to endodontic treatment are intrinsically linked to the prevention and total control of pulp and periapical infections. The presence of microorganisms is not limited to the endodontic but is also present in the periradicular regions, characterized by an apical biofilm that is strongly adhered to the surface. In this context of decontamination of root and periapical canals, ozone has been highlighted as an important sanitizer. Objective: To demonstrate the main experimental and clinical findings of the use of ozone therapy alone and in association with conventional treatments as an antiseptic in the treatment of root canals. Methods: The research was carried out from May 2021 to June 2021 and developed based on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar, following the Systematic Review-PRISMA rules. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results: There is moderate evidence to provide important preliminary information about ozone therapy. As for reducing the microbial load for patients undergoing root canal treatment, ozone therapy has inferior results when compared to conventional chemomechanical techniques using NaOCl. The joint action of these treatments proved to be quite effective. Conclusion: Ozone therapy is proving to be a useful new treatment modality that offers great benefits to patients. The strong antimicrobial power of ozone, together with its ability to stimulate the circulatory system and modulate the immune response, makes it a corrective agent of choice in the treatment of various oral infectious diseases. More research is needed to help with its reproducibility, its use should be indicated by the dentist in clinical practice.