Using 445 nm and 970 nm Lasers on Dental Implants—An In Vitro Study on Change in Temperature and Surface Alterations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of using a 445 nm laser on dental implants by comparing it with a laser with 970 nm wavelength. Two models, a pig mandible and glass ionomer cement, were used to evaluate the temperature increase in dental implants during laser irradiation with both wavelengths. Temperature was measured every second at four different places on the dental implants. Different power settings, effects of water cooling, distance of the laser fibre to the dental implant and continuous comparison to a pulsed laser beam were tested. Surface alterations on titanium discs after laser irradiation for 4 min at 2.0 W, were analysed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The maximum temperature and time to reach each of the thresholds were comparable between the 445 nm and 970 nm lasers. Neither the 445 nm nor the 970 nm wavelength showed any signs of surface alterations on the titanium discs. Using a 445 nm laser on dental implants is as safe as using a 970 nm laser, in terms of temperature increase and surface alterations. Applying a generous amount of cooling water and irradiating in short intervals is important when using lasers on dental implants.

Thermal effect of a 445 nm diode laser on five dental implant systems: an in vitro study

“…Recent literature pointed out that the ineffectiveness of nonsurgical therapy of peri-implantitis is mainly attributable to the inefficient removal of biofilm from the complex implant surface 29 . To overcome this problem, various dental laser 1 , 23 systems have been proposed for this purpose, including diode lasers. However, previous in vitro studies on temperature increases around dental implants have shown great discrepancies between different diode lasers 24 .…”

“…Eriksson and coworkers found that increasing the temperature of bone tissue by ∆T 10 °C for 60 s causes permanent changes in the bone structure 26 . Accordingly, a tissue temperature gradient ΔT below 10 °C is stated as safe when limited to 60 s 1 , 15 , 17 .…”

“…Over the past years, dental implants have become an integral part in oral rehabilitation. Therefore, a continually increasing number of patients are treated with dental implants in Europe and worldwide 1 . As a consequence, an increasing number of complications may be expected over the long term and, among these, inflammatory peri implant diseases 2 .…”

“…This goes along with an inflammation in the peri-implant mucosa and subsequent progressive loss of supporting bone 3 . According to current epidemiologic studies, 2.6–4.0 million patients are at risk of developing peri-implantitis worldwide every year 1 , 4 . However, successful treatment options for this inflammatory disease are few 1 , 5 .…”

“…According to current epidemiologic studies, 2.6–4.0 million patients are at risk of developing peri-implantitis worldwide every year 1 , 4 . However, successful treatment options for this inflammatory disease are few 1 , 5 .…”