The Ozonytron devices for ozone therapy in medicine and dentistry are ahead of their time.
From a technical viewpoint, ozone therapy and plasma therapy are both based on the same principle. Air and oxygen respectively are exposed to energy, for example, in form of UV radiation or an arc of light, created by electricity, resulting in the creation of highly reactive particles. In theory, ozone therapy and plasma therapy differ, however, in the active agent which is made responsible for the germ eliminating, healing supporting and teeth whitening effect. Due to its characteristic smell which becomes noticeable during the treatment, the credit for the bleaching, healing supporting and germ eliminating effect has been given to the ozone molecule O3 and thus the term “ozone therapy” has become common. Later on, only the singlet oxygen 1O2 has been declared as medically effective, because this particle first separates itself from the oxygen molecule O2 in the reaction O3 ⇌ 1O2 + O2 and then reacts with the germs destructively. Nowadays, research in plasma medicine shows that singlet oxygen is not the sole factor in the elimination of germs and the healing process. Electrons and ions are released as well by the breakup of the air and oxygen molecules respectively. In this plasma, referred to as the fourth aggregate state in physics, all components serve for the elimination of germs and the healing process. With its oxidative character, not the electrons and ions but the singlet oxygen is primarily responsible for the bleaching effect. For this reason, the proportion of singlet oxygen in the plasma must be increased with the use of medically pure oxygen from the gas bottle in order to achieve the satisfying whitening of teeth. The air with its low percentage of oxygen of ca. 21 % is not suited for this purpose.
Effect of Plasma on Germs and the Human Body
The plasma does not cause the formation of resistance among bacteria, fungi and viruses, because its components are highly reactive and react with the germs regardless of their defense mechanisms in a bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal way. The cell membrane of bacteria, sporulation of fungi and docking mechanism of viruses get destroyed. However, the body’s own cells remain protected by the secreted cholesterol. In addition, no allergies arise because the human body is exposed only to different allotropic variants (structural forms) of oxygen (mono-, di- and trioxygen) as well as electrons and ions, which occur freely in nature and to which everyone has been exposed since childhood. Due to its oxidative effect, singlet oxygen eliminates odors and bleaches reliably and sustainably. The systemic healing process by elimination of oxygen in the reaction O3 ⇌ 1O2 + O2 leads to a saturation with oxygen in the cell and stimulation of lymph drainage (removal of toxins). The immune system is stabilized and the body’s defenses strengthened. In addition, coagulation (blood clotting) is stimulated by the oxygen, released in blood.
Indication
Which clinical pictures can be treated with plasma?
In dentistry, you are confronted with a wide range of clinical pictures which might have serious consequences for the physical health of the patient. The treatment measures taken are unpleasant and can lead to a permanent impairment in the quality of life for the patient. The symptoms can often be traced back to a germ attack, which is usually treated with the removal of infested tissue and/or the use of medicaments. Plasma therapy might offer an alternative or supplement that is gentle in its application.
Caries
The preventive notion in plasma therapy of germ reduction in the oral cavity can help prevent caries-related, extensive dental procedures. The life span of the dental substance can be extended significantly, for example, by a regular treatment with the plasma-mouthtray, and the tooth stays longer vital. With the appearance of initial caries, however, the treatment usually involves the remineralization of the dental enamel. The remineralization is additionally stimulated by the application of plasma. At the same time, the caries bacteria are killed with plasma even in hard-to-reach regions like fissures, fillings and brackets. In case of an advanced caries, however, the affected tooth is drilled and tissue beyond the necrotic area has to be removed with the use of traditional means. In plasma medicine, the necrotic tissue along with the smear layer must still be removed. But. still healthy dental substance stays largely intact, since its infestation with pioneer germs can be treated with the supply of plasma.
Periodontitis and Peri-Implantitis
Both periodontitis and peri-implantitis are caused by a bacterial infection. While periodontitis affects the periodontium, the implant bed is compromised in peri-implantitis. In both cases, the disease is characterized by bleeding at the gums, with a progressive regression of the gingiva to the loss of teeth and the implants respectively. The treatment is usually done by cleaning the gingival pockets with a bactericidal agent and in certain cases by the additional administration of antibiotics. However, the antibiotic might lead to an allergic reaction in some patients. In addition, the treatment is hampered by the emergence of bacterial strains with an antibiotic resistance making the treatment ineffective in the worst case. The plasma therapy might provide a remedy. Even with a severe periodontitis or peri-implantitis, plasma therapy can play a supportive role in addition to the traditional measures in the treatment of the infection. And with regular, accompanying plasma therapy, the healing process can be supported and sped up.
