Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on periodontal disease: a literature review.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) has been the subject of research in many areas of dentistry. HBO2 seems to be a useable, additional treatment method. However, there are still no certain conclusions and clear guidelines for procedures. The aim of the study was to collect current literature assessing the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The following review was performed using medical databases Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar. The review presents articles which assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in combination with non-surgical scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with periodontitis as an adjunctive method to standard protocols.

RESULTS

There are potentially plausible mechanisms by which HBO2 could be beneficial. Further well-designed science research and clinical trials are needed. Due to a small body of literature, differences in methodology and observation periods the data are not sufficient for statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION

The use of HBO2 seems to be reasonable as an adjunct method of the periodontitis treatment. However, authors of this literature review could not unambiguously state that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be commonly recommended as a potential method of periodontitis treatment. It is essential to develop consistent protocols for the procedure and further research in this area.