Clinical Reversal of Caries Using Ozone; Clinical Procedure.

J. HOLMES. (Adentec & UKSmiles, 3 Old Row Court, Rose Street, Wokingham, Berkshire, UK)

Ozone has been shown to clinically reverse carious lesions. This poster shows the clinical procedure and treatment of caries in a general dental practice with the HealOzone.

Objectives: This poster demonstrates the treatment of caries with an ozone delivery system in a general dental practice, showing assessment, treatment and final protection of the treated carious lesion.

Methods: The DIAGNOdent was employed to objectively quantify each carious lesion to identify enamel demineralisation or caries. Ozone was applied to each lesion for 20 or 30 seconds depending on the Clinical Severity Index (CSI). After the application of a mineral wash, each lesion is protected with a mineral releasing glass ionmer .

Results: 41 patients had been treated and recalled for re-evaluation to the end July 2003. There were no observed adverse events. 100% of the ozone treated carious lesions (173 teeth) had clinically reversed based on the CSI readings (P<0.001) at 10 and 20 weeks after ozone and glass ionomer treatment.

Conclusions: This treatment regime using ozone and glass ionomer may be considered to be an effective alternative to conventional "drilling and filling" for early carious lesions in general dental practice.