The present study assessed the effect of ozonized olive oil gel during orthodontic treatment to inhibit demineralization around orthodontic brackets.
Material and Methods: Fourteen patient, aged 15-18 years, scheduled to have premolars extraction as a part of orthodontic treatment participated in the present study. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups; control group (16 upper and lower premolars) and two experimental groups (20 upper and lower premolars for each). In the Control group no treatment was applied on the premolars. In experimental groups, after etching and bonding, T-loops were formed with 0.014 inch stainless steel wire and engaged on the experimental teeth. In experimental group II, ozonized olive oil gel was applied sparingly to the tooth surface with concentration of 20:25 μgm/ml. Participants were instructed to apply the ozonized olive oil gel to the buccal surface of the premolars three times daily for 8 weeks after regular oral hygiene procedures. After 8 weeks, the brackets were deboned and the premolars extracted carefully. The premolars of each group were divided into 2 equal numbers; 28 premolars prepared for elemental analyses (calcium and phosphorus) followed by scanning electron microscope investigation, and 28 premolars examined with polarized light. ANOVA test was applied followed by post hoc LSD test to compare between each 2 groups.
Results: Ca/P ratio of enamel in control group was 3.09. In experimental group I, the Ca/P ratio reduced to 1.75, while in group II, the ratio was 2.33, with statistically significant difference between all groups. Polarized light examination of experimental group I revealed increased depths of demineralized areas, and extending deeper in the enamel which was indicated by positive form birefringence. Experimental group II showed the enamel surface with improvement of demineralized lesions in the form of negative form birefringence resembling normal enamel in the control group. Scanning electron microscopic examination of experimental group I showed comparatively increased depths of demineralized areas with deep wavy perikymata. Enamel surface of experimental group II showed almost normal appearance of perikymata, with new hydroxyapatite crystal deposition. Conclusion: The use of ozonized olive oil gel in addition to the standard oral hygiene regimen was found to be beneficial for orthodontic patients to prevent enamel decalcification during treatment.