Temperature elevations in endosseous dental implants and the peri-implant bone during diode-laser-assisted surface decontamination

The aim of the study was to investigate temperature elevations in the implant surface and the peri-implant bone during simulated surface decontamination of endosseous dental implants with an 809 nm semiconductor laser. Stepped cylinder implants were inserted into bone blocks cut from resected pig femurs. An artificial peri-implant bone defect provided access for the irradiation of the implant surface. A 600 micron optic fiber was used at a distance of 0.5 mm from the implant surface. Power output varied between 0.5 and 2.5 W in the cw-mode. Power density was between 176.9 and 884.6 Wcm -2 . The bone block was placed into a 37 degree(s)C water bath in order to simulate in vivo thermal conduc…