The Efficacy of Ozone Therapy on Pain and Soft Tissue Healing Associated With the Surgical Placement of Dental Implants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of ozone therapy on postoperative pain and the healing of soft tissues in patients undergoing dental implant placement. Methods This parallel-group, randomized clinical trial enrolled 84 participants requiring delayed implant placement. Participants were allocated by a computer-generated random sequence with allocation concealment by using the sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes (SNOSE) method. In group A, following local anesthesia and standard aseptic protocols, osteotomy was performed with irrigation using ozonated saline (25 μg/mL). Medical-grade ozone gas was introduced into the osteotomy site for 30 seconds, followed by peripheral ozone injection near the surgical site. Implants were placed with a torque of 35 Ncm, and the surgical site was closed with interrupted 3-0 silk sutures. In group B, conventional implant placement was performed using standard saline irrigation, with all other surgical steps, including implant brand, torque value, and suturing technique, kept identical to the experimental group. Postoperative pain was rated based on the visual analog scale at 24 and 48 hours; soft tissue healing was rated according to the Landry healing index at seven and 14 days. Outcome assessors were blinded to the group of the subjects, and data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, with a significance value considered at p < 0.05. Results The ozone therapy group showed a statistically significant reduction in pain scores at 24 hours and 48 hours compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In terms of soft tissue healing, the ozone group demonstrated improved healing rates, with earlier resolution of inflammation and faster epithelialization, particularly at 14 days postoperatively. Conclusion In the case of patients who have undergone dental implant surgery, ozone therapy seems to be a very good adjunct in relieving postoperative pain and promoting the healing of soft tissues. Consequently, these findings suggest that ozone therapy may be employed for enhancing patient recovery and improving clinical outcomes in implant dentistry.