Aplicações múltiplas do ozônio como terapia adjunta no tratamento da periodontite experimental em ratos

Abstract

Mechanical therapy through scaling and root planing (SRP) is considered the gold standard in periodontal treatment. However, mechanical therapy alone may fail to eliminate pathogenic bacteria located in soft tissues and inaccessible areas, such as furcation areas, root concavities, interproximal areas, and sites with deeper pockets. Therefore, methods that can be used as adjuncts to SRP have been proposed to promote the reduction or elimination of periodontal pathogens and enhance the effectiveness of periodontal treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of multiple applications of ozone as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats. Forty-eight rats were included in the study. Experimental periodontitis was induced on the upper left second molars using silk ligatures. After 7 days, the ligatures were removed, and the animals were randomly assigned to three treatments (8 animals per treatment): SRP group - SRP with 1 ml of saline solution; CLX group - SRP with 1 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CLX); and Ozone Group - SRP with 1 ml of ozonated water (12µg/mL). The adjunctive protocols were performed in 3 applications with a 48-hour interval. The animals were euthanized after 7 and 15 days. Bone loss was assessed through digital photographs of the buccal and palatal surfaces of the upper second molar. The samples were stained with 1% methylene blue to better visualize the cementoenamel junction. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding bone loss on the buccal and palatal surfaces after 7 and 15 days. It was concluded that multiple applications of ozone as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of experimental periodontitis did not result in a significant reduction in bone loss compared to the use of SRP alone or its combination with chlorhexidine.