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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Bactericidal Effect of the Er:YAG Laser on Dental Implant Surfaces: An In Vitro Study

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The aim of the in vitro study was to examine the bactericidal effect of an Er:YAG laser on common dental implant surfaces.Seventy-two titanium platelets with 3 different surfaces--sandblasted and acid-etched (SA), titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS), and hydroxyapatite-coated (HA)--were incubated with a suspension of Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556). Irradiation at pulse energies of 60 and 120 mJ and a frequency of 10 pps was performed on a computer-controlled XY translation stage. After laser treatment the specimens were sonicated and the bacterial growth examined by counting colony forming units on blood agar plates. Temperature elevations during irradiation were investigated using K-type thermocouples. Laser treated implant surfaces were analyzed by means of electron microscopy.Compared to non-irradiated specimens, mean bacterial reductions of 99.51% (SA), 98.39% (HA), and 99.6% (TPS) at a pulse energy of 60 mJ and 99.92% (SA), 99.85% (HA), and 99.94% (TPS) at 120 mJ were calculated. At these laser parameters, no excessive temperature elevations or morphological implant surface alterations were detected.Even at low energy densities, the Er:YAG laser has a high bactericidal potential on common implant surfaces. Clinical studies are justified to evaluate the applicability and efficacy of the Er:YAG laser in the treatment of peri-implantitis.