Reactive Oxygen Species, Lipid Oxidative Products, Bio-messengers, Antioxidant Enzyme System and the rebalance of oxidative stress are reviewed and analysed in this module. Here we learn how a mild and transient oxidative stress can benefit the biological system.

From the time when ozone gas was discovered to the innovators that developed the technology and use of ozone gas in medicine and dentistry. In the time-line, ozone technology, R&D and it's applications started in the USA. A change in American drug policy stopped R&D in ozone in it's tracks.

The chemical and physical properties enable us to understand the qualities that ozone gas possess and why it behaves under specific condition. What are the different types of ozone gases, their functions, purity and the effect on earth and on humans.

We examine a range of peer review studies that support the research and clinical studies that determine the four main properties of medical ozone and it affect on biological systems.

We look at what condition’s ozone can assist therapeutically; which applications are used to treat them, and which protocols produce an effective outcome for the client.

We investigate each type of treatment application in ozone therapy. We distinguish between clinical and non-clinical treatments and how they compare to each other and what conditions and parameters each are best suited to the client.

We cover a basic ozone generator, how it works, the parameters involved that have to meet, the production of ozone gas and these can be adjusted.

The types of oxygen cylinder and master value connection, storage and health and safety requirement and compliance regulations involved.

The various accessories that can be used to widen the application of medical ozone therapy treatment applications.

It is common for dental restorations to be affected by dental pathology such as dental caries, periodontal disease or trauma. Adhesive dental restorations have a stronger bonding to enamel the dentine when sterilised by the use of medical ozone. This also reduces pain and sensitivity.

The antimicrobial power of medical ozone inhibits dental caries, thereby diminishing sensitivity and enabling the practitioner to be ultra conservative as less removal of caries is necessary. In children residual dental caries can be sterilised with medical ozone, requiring less manual removal.

In the case of partial fractures, without the dental pulp being exposed, medical ozone will help to get the fractured surfaces in the best possible condition before they can be repaired.

If the dental pulp is exposed, the regenerative and antiseptic effect would sterilize and stimulate the injured pulp. In case of a dental dislocation or pull-out without being fractured (avulsion), ozone can help the reimplanted or mobile tooth to be fixed once again in its bone base.

This application has been successfully assessed in a number of clinical studies. Due to medical ozone being a gas it can diffuse within the root canal and facilitate sterilization and periapical repair. Its efficacy is similar to the one of sodium hypochlorite without affecting the fibroblastic function, even though both techniques can be combined in the same surgical procedure.

Thanks to its tissue-stimulating capacity, the postoperative period is less painful, with lower failure rates.

If severe infections eventually drain into the mouth (fistulisation), the leaking duct (fistula) can be treated with medical ozone, limiting the injury and the pain before determining a more definitive treatment. After several applications, inflammation and suppuration generally decrease, enabling a cleaner periapical surgery with a greater prospect of success.

Unlike hypochlorite medical ozone gas at the correct concertation can be safely administered safely outside the dental root system.

We can exploit ozone analgesic and antiseptic capacity to diminish the remaining sensitivity in the sculpted teeth after exposing dentin tubules. Bonding or filling procedures of dental crowns, facets, or inlay has shown very positive results.

We find it extremely useful in maintaining the health of implant-supported prostheses, as well as in preventing complications.

Several researchers have studied the safety of this technique, which is a suitable alternative in cases of inflammation and peri-implant infections (peri-implantitis and mucositis).

This has shown to be effective to avoid more invasive surgeries and prosthetic replacements.

Medical ozone is an effective tool to facilitate sterilisation, vascularisation, and healing of surgical sites. It has also been successfully used in the treatment of maxillary osteonecrosis.

We use it as a complementary treatment in the case of oral infections of any kind, as it will improve vascularity and local immunity in viral infections, areas of gingivostomatitis and ulcers as an example.

We use it to treat temporomandibular arthritis and muscle pain.
It allows us to avoid the use of corticoids and to regenerate muscle function and elasticity by oxygenating the muscle and releasing tension.

It can also help reduce neuropathic pain or nerve damage by promoting remyelination if there has been no previous surgical intervention.

Ozone is a powerful bleaching agent; it can be used as an adjunctive to the conventional techniques to avoid hypersensitivity reactions.