Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Dental Surgery

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is increasingly being accepted as a beneficial adjunct to diverse clinical conditions. Non-healing ulcers, chronic wounds and refractory osteomyelitis are a few conditions for which HBOT has been extensively tried out. The dental surgeon has also found a good ally in HBOT in managing dental conditions. Between the year 1999 2002, 11 dental cases were referred to our centre for HBOT. These 11 cases have been divided in to three groups. Gp I had 3 cases of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible. Gp II were 3 cases of post radiotherapy, who contrary to medical advise were in need to undergo dental surgery. Their dental surgeon wanted them to be administered HBOT as a prophylaxis prior to undertaking them for surgery. Gp III comprised 6 cases of refractory mandibular osteomyelitis. A mean of 34 HBO exposures (range 12 to 38), 11 exposures (range 10 to 14) and 28 exposures (range 17 to 40) were administered to Gp I, II and III respectively. All the 11 cases benefitted by HBOT. In Gp I extensive disfigurement and tissue ablation could be avoided, in Gp II there was no post dental extraction complication even 6 months after the surgery and in Gp III in all the 6 cases the discharge from the sinuses stopped with subsequent closure of the sinuses. IJASM 2003; 47(1) : 23 29