The use of ozone therapy as an adjuvant in the treatment of periodontitis in patients attending the Dr René Puig Bentz Clinic of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña.
Description
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues of the teeth and can lead to tooth loss if not properly treated. Conventional non-surgical treatment is often complemented by the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine. However, its adverse effects and limitations have driven the search for alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozonated water as a mouthwash compared to chlorhexidine in the treatment of periodontitis. The hypothesis proposed is that the use of ozonated water as a mouthwash, in combination with conventional periodontal treatment, provides clinical results equal to or better than those obtained with chlorhexidine in patients with periodontitis. The study was conducted on a sample of 50 patients diagnosed with periodontitis, randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group, which used ozonated water as a mouthwash, and a control group, which used 0.12% chlorhexidine. Patients were administered the mouthwash during consultations, both before and after each procedure. The evaluation of clinical parameters included the plaque index, measured using the O’Leary Plaque Index; periodontal pocket depth, determined with the help of periodontal probes; and gingival inflammation, assessed by clinical inspection based on the criteria established by the UNPHU School of Dentistry. The data showed that the control group experienced a greater reduction in gingival inflammation compared to the experimental group. Regarding the plaque index, the percentage of patients who achieved an optimal level was higher in the control group than in the experimental group. On the other hand, in terms of periodontal pocket depth reduction, the experimental group obtained better results. These findings suggest that ozonated water can be considered an alternative to chlorhexidine due to its biocompatibility and absence of adverse effects. Its use could contribute to the improvement of clinical parameters; however, its effectiveness still appears to be lower than that of chlorhexidine.
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An informed consent form was created, containing questions through which the patient could give or withhold approval for their participation in the study. For minors, a similar document was prepared but directed at parents or guardians, in order for them to approve their child’s participation. O’Leary Plaque Index Measurement Once seated in the dental chair and after rinsing with the indicated solution, a plaque disclosing agent was applied. The patient was asked to spread it throughout the oral cavity using their tongue in order to stain the plaque present on the teeth. The stained teeth were then assessed to determine the plaque index and recorded in the O’Leary Plaque Index to document the progression of plaque accumulation. Data Collection and Intraoral Examination A patient record form, designed specifically for the study, was completed to collect personal data and medical history, including family history. Following this, a clinical intraoral examination was performed to assess gingival color, shape, and position relative to the dental structures. Using instruments such as the mouth mirror, periodontal probe, and Nabers probe, the clinical periodontal status of each patient was evaluated, including probing depth, gingival position, and clinical attachment level; these findings were recorded in the form. Periodontitis Treatment Using Ozonated Water One liter of water was ozonated before each treatment session using the Airthereal AH1000 portable ozone machine, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The machine was timed for 15 minutes per liter of water, achieving a concentration of 250 mg of ozone. The water was then portioned into 20 ml doses and administered to the patient as a mouth rinse, instructing them to rinse before and after each procedure. Meanwhile, the control group was administered 20 ml of chlorhexidine, following the same instructions outlined above. This process was repeated at each appointment. Reevaluation After an average of 4 to 7 appointments (depending on each case), the intraoral examination was repeated to collect data on the periodontal condition post-treatment. These findings were compared with those obtained during the initial appointment. Analysis of the Results The results from the control group (used as the comparison group) and the experimental group (exposed to the study intervention) were evaluated. This allowed us to determine whether treatment with ozonated water produced differences in periodontal pathology outcomes compared to treatment with a conventional antiseptic, in this case, chlorhexidine. Statistical Analysis Plan Independent sample comparison tests were conducted to determine whether one treatment method was superior to the other, along with correlation analyses for other variables of interest that might influence the success or failure of periodontal treatments. Microsoft Excel, part of the Microsoft Office suite, was used to organize the information into frequency tables.
Institutions
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena