Ozone – A versatile therapy in implant dentistry

Abstract

Oral cavity is an open ecosystem for many microorganisms making the oral environment more prone to bacterial colonization. Several studies have indicated that accumulation of bacteria on implant surface is a primary etiology for inflammatory conditions around implants, apparently leading to peri-implant diseases. Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process that affects the tissues around an osseointegrated implant in function, resulting in the loss of the supporting bone. Hence, proper decontamination and disinfection may aid in successful osseointegration of dental implants. Ozone (O3) is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms with a wide range of valuable properties which have been proven to be effective for applications in dentistry. O3 is a powerful oxidative agent with bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal properties. It can be used in gaseous, liquid (water/soil), or nanoparticle form as an adjunctive therapy in the management of peri-implant diseases and to decontaminate the implant surfaces. The application of ozone therapy is a novel approach in implant dentistry with limited literature. Therefore, the objective of the present review is to assess the impact of ozone therapy on the dental implant procedures and peri-implant diseases.