WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
If the symptoms have settled at the end of two months, try wearing the plate every other night and see if the symptoms remain settled. If this proves to be successful, then after a few more days try leaving the plate out for two nights out of three until you don't require it at all.

If the symptoms have not settled but are much better, keep wearing it every night and arrange an appointment to have a review.

If the symptoms do not improve or get worse, then do not suffer. Arrange an appointment to review as soon as you can.

Do not lose your plate or throw it away because your symptoms may return in the future and it may be possible to use the plate again or, if it has become worn or damaged, to copy its design.

ON THE DAY OF YOUR TREATMENT
DO NOT STARVE! You should eat meals as normal.

The earth has an ozone layer surrounding it which protects us from excessive ultra violet radiation from the sun. It is also present naturally at high altitude so the ‘fresh air' smell that skiers and mountaineers love, and the smell which is present after thunderstorms is ozone. It has been used in medicine for years to sterilize things because it effectively kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. It has only recently been shown to be effective on decaying teeth.

It is quick and painless. The process involves cleaning the tooth surface before using the Diagnodent, followed by a few seconds of ozone gas on to the tooth. It is all over in a matter of minutes and you will be given some simple after care instructions, together with information about which tooth has been treated and its Diagnodent reading.

The majority of teeth treated this way will not require to be filled. In fact, research shows that once the Healozone has been used on a tooth it is less likely to decay again. However, we are going to keep our own data on all the treated teeth and will monitor them frequently. The results will be published in our newsletter.
If the decay is very advanced the tooth will not only look discoloured but will actually have a sizeable hole which may require a filling for aesthetic reasons. In this case the tooth may be left for at least 3 months after treatment to allow it to harden up and remineralise, ie heal, to place the filling more effectively. We will usually know before using the Healozone if a tooth will also need a filling and the timing of this can be planned in advance. However, regular check ups will ensure that your teeth do not reach this stage and decay can be treated in its infancy.

It is very new on to the market following its exceedingly successful clinical trials and there is no allowance available for it on the NHS. Consequently its use is limited to private practice. At the time I ordered this one, there were only 20 available in the UK so I had to state my case to the manufacturers and, fortunately, was successful.

Yes it does, because it may be possible to use it in root canal work, and for treating gum disease and soft tissue lesions of the mouth. However, as yet these are still being researched and until positive data is available its use will be limited to the treatment of decay. We will, of course, update you if anything changes.

Yes, totally. The gas is given in very small amounts in a sealed unit. The ozone, once used, breaks down into carbondioxide and water as harmless biproducts which are sucked away by the Healozone. Quite harmless and painless.

The answer is that it may become useful as it develops. The Diagnodent, which is currently used in conjunction with the Healozone, can only be used on unfilled teeth, so x-rays are the only way to monitor progress on filled teeth - which is not a very accurate method. The speed of research in this field is progressing very rapidly, so I am sure the role of the Healozone will increase and become useful in several ways.

The course of treatment for a tooth is cheaper than filling a permanent tooth. Please ask a member of staff for details

When one or more of the front permanent teeth are completely knocked out it is essential to gain treatment immediately to have any chance of success.

Pick the tooth up carefully, holding it by the crown (the shiny part you normally see in the mouth). If the tooth looks dirty, don't worry about cleaning it, but if it is badly contaminated by mud or dirt, quickly rinse it gently under warm tap water. Do not scrub it or touch the root unnecessarily and do not use any disinfectant or cleaning agents.

Holding the tooth by the crown, and making sure it is the right way round, it is possible to replace the tooth into the socket provided the patient is not too distressed. This is not usually painful if done quickly. Bite gently on a clean handkerchief or pad to keep the tooth in place.

Don't waste time if this is not immediately successful. Instead:
Place the tooth under the tongue to keep it moist. If the patient is anxious or distressed it can be placed in a cup of milk if available.

Do not put it into water or disinfectant.

Do not wrap it in wet or dry cloths.

Do go to the dentist as soon as possible.

If you have managed to replace the tooth, put it under the tongue or keep it in milk; it may be possible for the dentist to secure the tooth to allow it to refix into its socket. It will then, of course, require further treatment.

For the greatest chance of success it is best to re-implant the tooth within 30 minutes provided it has been kept properly. However, it is still worth doing up to 12 hours after the accident.

These teeth must be treated without delay if they are going to have any chance of surviving, so please act quickly but calmly if a child has an accident, and one day that child may have cause to thank you.