What is ozone therapy in dentistry, and does it work?

Have you ever heard that a gas could help treat cavities or gum disease? This is one way ozone therapy is advertised, and wanting to know whether it works is reasonable. Researchers are asking the same question. Some findings suggest potential benefits, but the evidence varies by condition and does not establish ozone as a replacement for standard treatment.¹ 

What you will learn in this article: 

• How ozone gas, ozonated water and ozonated oils differ 

• What research suggests about cavities, gum disease and root canal treatment 

• Why inhalation risks and device claims deserve careful questions 

• What to ask about alternatives, costs and your treatment plan 

You can schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to discuss your dental health and appropriate treatment options. 

What is ozone therapy in dentistry? 

Ozone is a gas made of three oxygen atoms. Its ability to act against microorganisms is one reason researchers are exploring dental applications.¹

Dental ozone treatments may involve gas applied to an area, water containing ozone or oils treated with ozone. Ozonated oil is not simply oil holding dissolved gas: Ozone reacts with the oil to form other compounds.¹

These forms behave differently. Findings about ozonated water do not automatically tell you what ozone gas or an ozonated oil will do. The concentration, application method and treatment time also matter when comparing results.¹

What dental problems is ozone therapy used for? 

Providers who offer ozone may propose it for tooth decay, gum disease or root canal treatment. Researchers have explored reducing bacteria associated with cavities, applying ozone during periodontal care and using it during root canal disinfection.¹ 

A proposed use is different from an established benefit. Showing that a substance affects bacteria does not, by itself, show that it prevents tooth loss, stops a cavity progressing or improves long-term healing. 

If ozone is offered to you, ask which outcome the provider expects to improve. “Reducing bacteria” is less informative than an explanation of how the additional treatment is expected to help your particular tooth or gums. 

Does dental ozone therapy work? 

The answer depends on the condition and the treatment being compared. Laboratory findings can help explain how ozone acts, but studies involving patients are needed to assess whether it improves care. 

Ozone therapy for cavities 

A 2020 systematic review of 12 randomized trials found the evidence too uncertain to recommend ozone for treating cavities. Small studies and methodological limitations made the results difficult to interpret. Although the included studies reported no adverse events, that did not establish safety conclusively.²

Some later studies have reported encouraging results, including when ozone was combined with other treatments.¹ That does not establish that ozone alone can replace fluoride or a filling your dental provider recommends. 

Ozone therapy for gum disease and root canals 

Some gum disease studies report improvements when ozone is added to scaling and root planing. Findings are not consistent across studies or delivery methods. For root canals, a 2025 review found that ozonated solutions generally did not outperform established irrigants at reducing bacteria, although some studies suggested less pain afterward.¹

These are different outcomes. A possible reduction in discomfort does not prove better disinfection or long-term treatment success. The review also does not generally support using ozone in place of, or alongside, standard root canal irrigants.¹ 

Is dental ozone therapy safe? 

Ozone is not automatically safe because it is related to oxygen. A regulation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calls ozone a toxic gas and says it has no known useful medical use in therapy. Inhaling ozone can irritate the lungs enough to cause fluid buildup, and the effects may not appear for hours. Smell is not a reliable way to judge exposure.³ 

One 2025 review of recent clinical studies found very limited adverse effects overall, while noting that breathing in too much ozone gas can cause headache, vomiting and upper airway irritation.¹ 

Ask how exposure would be prevented during any proposed gas application. Do not assume a small dose or a controlled setting removes every risk. Water and oil formulations also need their own safety assessment. They should not be treated as interchangeable with gas.¹ 

A discussion of safety should cover the exact product, how it will be applied and why its expected benefit justifies its risks for you. 

What should you ask before choosing dental ozone therapy? 

Ask your dental provider: 

• What problem are we treating, and what benefit would ozone add? 

• What evidence supports this exact form of ozone for my condition? 

• What are the established alternatives and their risks? 

• Would ozone be added to standard care or offered instead? 

• What is the total cost, including any repeat applications? 

Request a written estimate and ask your insurer about coverage before assuming an additional treatment is included. If the explanation leaves you unsure, a second opinion can help you compare the proposed plan with other options. 

Schedule an appointment with your local dental provider to discuss your diagnosis, the evidence behind your options and which care should take priority. 

What is ozone therapy in dentistry, and does it work? FAQs 

Is ozone therapy the same as a routine cleaning? 

No. A cleaning physically removes plaque and tartar. An ozone application does not perform that work. If a provider offers it during a cleaning visit, ask whether there is a separate charge. 

Does “FDA-cleared” mean ozone is proven to treat my condition? 

Not by itself. An FDA 510(k) clearance concerns a device’s safety and effectiveness compared with a legally marketed device for its intended use. It is not blanket approval for other treatment claims.⁴ Ask for the device name and documentation showing the exact cleared use, rather than relying on the phrase in advertising. 

Will ozone therapy change how often I need dental visits? 

Not necessarily. Receiving ozone is not a reason, by itself, to change your preventive care schedule. Keep following the home care and follow-up plan your dental provider recommends, and ask how your progress will be checked and when you should return, particularly if you are already being treated for decay or gum disease. 

Sources 

¹ Springer Nature, Current Oral Health Reports: “Ozone in Dentistry: An Updated Overview of Current Applications and Future Perspectives.” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40496-024-00395-y 

² National Institutes of Health, Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice: “Effectiveness and Safety of Ozone Therapy in Dental Caries Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33303100/ 

³ U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: “§ 801.415 Maximum acceptable level of ozone.” https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-801.415 

⁴ U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “Premarket Notification 510(k).” https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/premarket-submissions-selecting-and-preparing-correct-submission/premarket-notification-510k