Effectiveness of ozone therapy in reducing masticatory muscle hypertonicity: an experimental study

Relevance. Persistent tension in muscle tissue leads to overload of contractile elements, causing structural damage and the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum without subsequent reuptake. Chronic muscular overload due to prolonged or repetitive contractions contributes to excessive strain and may result in temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction. To prevent disorders associated with masticatory muscle hypertonicity, therapeutic interventions should primarily target the affected muscle tissue. One non-invasive approach is the application of ozone therapy. This study aimed to conduct a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of ozone therapy in alleviating hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles. Materials and methods. An experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the proposed therapeutic method. Hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles was induced in 30 laboratory rats, which were then randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received standard treatment, while the second group underwent direct ozone therapy targeting the masticatory muscles. After 14 days of treatment, both qualitative parameters (inflammatory infiltration area, volume density of blood vessels, muscle tissue area) and semi-quantitative indicators (inflammation severity, as well as signs of edema and necrosis) were assessed. Results. In the first group, the muscle tissue exhibited structural disorganization and fiber hypertrophy, with occasional branching, reduced volume density of blood vessels, and increased muscle fiber area due to hypertrophy. Inflammatory response and edema persisted. These findings indicated significant impairment of tissue perfusion due to sustained spasticity. In the second group, only minor focal edema and isolated vascular engorgement were observed. The volume density of blood vessels did not differ significantly from that in intact muscle tissue. No lymphocytic infiltration, necrotic changes, or tissue destruction were detected. Conclusion. This experimental study demonstrated the myorelaxant effect of ozone therapy in alleviating muscle spasticity. No adverse effects or complications were observed in either group. The treatment did not result in marked dystrophic or destructive changes in muscle tissue.