Ozone and Laser Therapies on Recovery From Wisdom Tooth Removal

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. While extra oral application of an 808-nm diode laser, but not ozone therapy, had a positive effect on postoperative swelling and trismus after a surgical removal of impacted lower third molars, both therapies significantly reduced pain.

One of the most common oral surgeries is the removal of wisdom teeth ^1,2. The most common side effects from surgery are pain, swelling and restricted ability to open the mouth due to muscle spasms ^1,3. Currently, the most common treatment for the side effects of surgery are corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ^1,4. Because of the side effects of these drugs, such as gastric bleeding, alternative methods are being researched. Research has found ozone treatment and laser therapies can improve post-operative recovery from wisdom tooth removal ¹.

Ozone therapy has been used for many years in medicine and in dentistry has been shown to improve oxygen supply, stop bleeding and inhibit bacterial growth ⁵. Low-level laser therapy also is being used to reduce inflammation and swelling, while promoting the healing of tissues ⁶. Both of these alternative options were reviewed in the research.

The participants were randomized to three different groups, the ozone treatment group (n=20), the laser therapy group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The ozone therapy was performed with an ozone generator (high frequency 7.5 cm deep tissue probe to the masseter muscle, intensity of 80% for 10 seconds) immediately after surgery, and post-operatively at day 1, 3 and 7. The laser therapy was performed extra-orally (gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser, continuous wavelength of 808 nm for 120 seconds) immediately after surgery and post-operatively at day 1, 3 and 7 ¹.

The results were as follows:

• At the first (p=0.025) and third (p=0.033) post-operative days, difficulty opening the mouth was significantly lower in the laser therapy group compared to the ozone and control groups, however, on day 7 values were similar in all three groups (p>0.05).
• Participants in the ozone therapy and laser therapy groups experienced a significantly lower degree of pain than the control group (day 1 p=0.012, day 3 p=0.035, day 7 p=0.44).
• Participants in the ozone therapy and laser therapy groups took significantly fewer pain medications compared to the control group (p<0.05).
• The laser group had significantly lower post-operative swelling (day 1 p=0.039, day 3 p=0.041).

In conclusion, both ozone and laser therapies were found to be useful for reducing post-operative pain from wisdom tooth removal and increase quality of life ¹. Laser therapy was also helpful in reducing post-operative swelling and difficulty opening the mouth due to spasms (1). Researchers recommended increasing the sample size to confirm findings ¹.

Source: Kazancioglu, Hakki Oguz, Seref Ezirganli, and Nihat Demirtas. “Comparison of the influence of ozone and laser therapies on pain, swelling, and trismus following impacted third-molar surgery.” Lasers in medical science 29, no. 4 (2014): 1313-1319.

© Springer-Verlag London 2013

Posted May 29, 2018.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

1. Kazancioglu HO, Ezirganli S, Demirtas N. Comparison of the influence of ozone and laser therapies on pain, swelling, and trismus following impacted third-molar surgery. Lasers in medical science. 2014;29(4):1313-1319.
2. Bamgbose BO, Akinwande JA, Adeyemo WL, Ladeinde AL, Arotiba GT, Ogunlewe MO. Effects of co-administered dexamethasone and diclofenac potassium on pain, swelling and trismus following third molar surgery. Head & face medicine. 2005;1(1):11.
3. Barone A, Marconcini S, Giacomelli L, Rispoli L, Calvo JL, Covani U. A randomized clinical evaluation of ultrasound bone surgery versus traditional rotary instruments in lower third molar extraction. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery. 2010;68(2):330-336.
4. Ferrante M, Petrini M, Trentini P, Perfetti G, Spoto G. Effect of low-level laser therapy after extraction of impacted lower third molars. Lasers in medical science. 2013;28(3):845-849.
5. Baysan A, Whiley R, Lynch E. Antimicrobial effect of a novel ozone–generating device on micro–organisms associated with primary root carious lesions in vitro. Caries Research. 2000;34(6):498-501.
6. López-Ramírez M, Vílchez-Pérez MÁ, Gargallo-Albiol J, Arnabat-Domínguez J, Gay-Escoda C. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of pain, facial swelling, and postoperative trismus after a lower third molar extraction. A preliminary study. Lasers in medical science. 2012;27(3):559-566.