Implant Surface Temperature Changes during Er:YAG Laser Irradiation with Different Cooling Systems.

Area of Science:

• Dental implantology
• Laser dentistry
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Peri-implantitis is a leading cause of dental implant failure.
• Laser irradiation can decontaminate infected implant surfaces but poses a risk of thermal damage to surrounding bone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the temperature increase on implant surfaces during Er:YAG laser irradiation using various cooling methods.
• To determine the safety of Er:YAG laser for peri-implantitis treatment by assessing thermal effects.

Main Methods:

• Er:YAG laser irradiation was applied to three implants in sheep mandible blocks.
• Three cooling systems were tested: water and air spray, air spray alone, and no spray.
• Implant surface temperature was monitored using a K-type thermocouple.

Main Results:

• The maximum temperature rise observed in all groups was below the critical threshold of 10°C.
• Significant differences in temperature changes were recorded based on the cooling system employed (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Er:YAG laser irradiation, even without refrigeration, did not cause thermal damage to the implant surface or surrounding bone.
• Er:YAG laser presents a safe and effective therapeutic option for treating peri-implantitis.