# HBOT as a Potential Adjunctive Therapy for Wound Healing in Dental Surgery—A Narrative Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may help heal dental wounds and improve outcomes in complex oral surgeries.

## Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review of HBOT's potential as an adjunct therapy in high-risk dental conditions, highlighting gaps in current evidence.

## Key findings

- HBOT may improve healing in early-stage osteoradionecrosis and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.
- Evidence for HBOT in implantology and periodontal therapy is limited and inconsistent.
- Standardized studies are needed to confirm HBOT's effectiveness in dental applications.

## Abstract

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is considered a potential adjunctive modality to enhance tissue regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery. By increasing tissue oxygen availability, HBOT may support bone and soft-tissue repair under hypoxic and chronically inflamed conditions. Aim: This narrative review evaluates current experimental and clinical evidence regarding HBOT in high-risk dental indications, including osteoradionecrosis (ORN), medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), chronic osteomyelitis, poorly healing postoperative wounds, and procedures in patients with systemic comorbidities. Methods: A structured search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library identified 123 relevant English-language publications (from 1 January 2000–September 2025) addressing HBOT mechanisms and clinical applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery, including clinical trials, observational studies, preclinical models, and systematic reviews. Results: Available evidence suggests that HBOT may improve healing outcomes and reduce complication rates in early-stage ORN and MRONJ when used as an adjunct to surgery and systemic therapy. However, findings in implantology—particularly in irradiated or diabetic patients—and in periodontal therapy remain limited, heterogeneous, and methodologically inconsistent. Conclusions: HBOT may be considered in selected clinical scenarios, particularly where healing is impaired by hypoxia or systemic disease. Nevertheless, current evidence remains insufficient to support routine use. Standardized, high-quality studies with clearly defined endpoints and uniform therapeutic protocols are needed to determine its clinical effectiveness and optimal indications.