In vivo Treatment of Occlusal Caries with Ozone: One and Two Months' Effect with Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) as Diagnostic Methods

Ozone has been proven to reverse root caries and pit and fissure carious lesions clinically. The effects of a pharmaceutical treatment for pit and fissure carious lesions (PFCLs) have been further investigated in the development of previous longitudinal controlled clinical studies. The study applies protocols developed in the Dental Clinic, Queen’s University, Belfast, in a private dental practice environment in North East Italy. Aims: The aim of this study was to monitor quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) readings and a clinical classification of PFCLs longitudinally, and then to study the medium term effect of Ozone application on these readings. Methods: A total of 300 PFCLs were entered in 80 patients. After cleaning each lesion using air abrasion with 27,5 micron particles, a clinical severity index, QLF (DIAGNOdent®, KaVo, Germany) standard scale readings were recorded. Two thirds of the lesions were treated with Ozone (using the HealOzone unit from CurOzone USA) for 20, 30 and 40 seconds according to the clinical classification, and the other third was reserved as control with each Patient having at least one control lesion. The readings were repeated after one month and after two months. Results: A significant overall reduction of QLF readings was produced after Ozone treatment at one month. The percentage of teeth which produced this reduction was over 80%. After two months QLF readings showing reduction was over 90% (p<0.05). Ozone treated lesions significantly cxlinically reversed (P<0.05) whilst control lesions did not change. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Ozone to reduce the QLF readings at two months after application in more than 90% of the lesions. Control showed increased QLF readings . Any effect will be monitored over time.