Abstract
Statement of problem. Management of denture-related traumatic ulcers using ozone may improve tissue healing and reduce patient pain and discomfort.
Purpose. The purpose of this clinical investigation was to assess the efficacy of ozone in the treatment of denture-related traumatic ulcers.
Material and methods. Seventy-five participants (study group) with denture-related traumatic ulcers were evaluated in this blinded, controlled cohort observational investigation. A control group (n=75) of participants with denture-related traumatic ulcers who matched the study group in sex and age were also recruited. Ulcers were treated with ozone gas for 60 seconds in the study group and with air for 60 seconds in the control group. Pain levels were evaluated by means of a visual analog scale (VAS), and ulcer sizes were measured in each participant at experiment baseline and each day for 15 days. Ulcer duration was established by calculating the period it took to completely heal and disappear. Major outcome measurements were ulcer duration, ulcer size, and levels of pain.
Results. Ulcer size decreased from day 2 in the study group (after ozone application) (P <=.01) and from day 4 in the controls (P <=.001). Recorded pain levels decreased from the first day soon after ozone application in the study group (P <=.001) and from day 3 in the controls (P <=.001). Ulcer duration, ulcer size from day 3 to day 10, and reported pain levels from day 1 to day 10 decreased more in the study group (P <=.004).
Conclusions. Exposure of denture-related traumatic ulcers to 60 seconds of ozone gas was associated with better ulcer healing and decreased pain levels, ulcer size, and ulcer duration.