What is Ozone?
Ozone is a form of oxygen that occurs naturally in the atmosphere around us. The layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful sunlight. Ozone is also a powerful oxidising agent and has been widely used over the last 40 years to purify drinking water – especially bottled water.

What Does it Do?
Ozone is a natural biocide that kills bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew. It also eliminates cysts, yeasts and fungus. In dental cavities it kills bacteria and sterilises the cavity to prevent further decay.

Is Ozone Safe?
Ozone is not a fire hazard and will not explode. It does not irritate eyes or skin, damage hair or clothing and leaves no chemical taste or smell.
Ozone is not a carcinogen (it does not cause cancer).

What Is Healozone?
Healozone is a device that converts oxygen in the air into ozone and delivers it in a controlled manner for use in dental procedures.
It has only been available for use for some 4 years, and only 2000 machines have been sold to date.

Why Use Healozone?

• PAIN FREE  For early decay, this hi-tech treatment involves no injections, no drilling, and is totally painless. Ozone application typically takes just 20-40 seconds! When combined with early detection of decay using the DIAGNOdent laser, it is ideal for total prevention in children
• SAFE Healozone delivers ozone directly onto the bacteria in a sealed environment and is proven to be completely safe
• EFFECTIVE Ozone kills 99.9% of all decay producing bacteria in as little as 20 seconds! It is used in dentistry to stop and even reverse small cavities. Research is ongoing into its use in other aspects of dentistry.
• PAIN FREE Safe and effective prevention
               Prevents decay
               Drill free in early decay
               Can reverse small early decay
               Ideal for children and young adults
               Minimum intervention

Principles of Treatment:                
1 Diagnosis This involves locating early tooth decay and includes visual examination and scanning using a special laser called DIAGNOdent. This is completely painless and safe. X-rays and photographs may also be taken if necessary.

2 Treatment Application of ozone using the Healozone system. This kills the bacteria in the cavity that cause the decay. Once the bacteria are killed, harmful acids are no longer produced. This prevents any further damage to the tooth.

3 Healing The cavity is remineralised (re-hardened) by absorbing calcium from saliva and toothpaste. This usually takes 4-6 weeks and is aided by the use of special toothpaste and mouthwash which may be provided as part of the treatment.

4 Repair Placement of a small filling - in small areas of decay this is not necessary.
In medium and large areas of decay the damaged tooth needs to be repaired. The nature and size of the filling depends on the size of the cavity.

Treatment Involved.
Small Lesions:
When decay is detected very early (using the DIAGNOdent laser), the tooth is treated with ozone for 40 seconds and sealed with a material called Fuji VII. No additional treatment should be required.

Medium Lesions:
The tooth is treated with ozone for 40 seconds and retreated 10 weeks later. During the intervening period, the patient uses a reminerising kit which consists of a toothpaste, mouthwash and oral spray, and which contains a high concentration of minerals required for the tooth to repair. At the second visit the tooth is sealed with Fuji VII

Large Lesions:
The cavity needs to be opened up and any loose decay removed. This may require local anaesthetic. The tooth is then treated as above over two or more visits. Once the decay has repaired, the tooth can be restored as usual. The filling will, however , usually be much smaller than would normally be the case, thus reducing the chance of further problems (fractures, root canal treatment etc.).

How Much Does it Cost?
Scanning with DIAGNOdent is carried out as part of a routine examination at no extra cost.
At the present time we are not making an additional charge for ozone treatment.