Goal
Eliminate dental caries and infection without drilling by using ozone gas to sterilise lesions and promote natural remineralisation.
Problem
Traditional drill-and-fill dentistry removes healthy tooth tissue, causes pain, and requires repeated restorations.
Concept Summary
A self-contained device generates ozone (O_3) from ambient air and delivers a short, controlled burst (10-60 s) to a carious lesion. The ozone oxidises and destroys bacteria and organic by-products, allowing saliva minerals to re-deposit and harden the tooth structure, thereby arresting decay without invasive removal of tissue.
Principles
- Oxidative antimicrobial action of ozone
- Sterilisation of bacterial bio-film
- Promotion of natural remineralisation from saliva
Scientific Domains
Materials
- Ozone (O_3) gas
- Ambient air (oxygen source)
Mechanisms of Action
- Ozone oxidises bacterial cell walls and metabolic by-products
- Destruction of organic effluents in the lesion
- Elimination of anaerobic niches, allowing mineral uptake
Energy Sources
Applications
- Treatment of early-stage dental caries
- Disinfection of root canals (endodontics)
- Sensitivity reduction after restorations
Claimed Performance
Treatment times of 10-60 seconds; effective sterilisation of carious lesions; reduction or elimination of drilling and filling; decreased treatment cost and patient anxiety.
Experimental Evidence
In-vitro studies showed ozone reduces organic bio-molecules to a single acetate spike and CO_2; clinical trials (e.g., Holmes 2003, Baysan & Lynch 2001) reported successful arrest of occlusal caries, reduced treatment time, and lower sensitivity.
Replication Status
Licensed and CE-certified device commercially available; used in dental practices in Europe and elsewhere.
Limitations
- Requires specialised ozone-generation equipment
- Potential ozone toxicity if not properly vented
- Limited penetration depth for deep lesions
Red Flags
- Ozone is a strong oxidiser and can be hazardous to respiratory tissues if mishandled
- Limited large-scale, double-blind randomised trials reported
