Effect of Laser Radiation on Infected Sites for the Immediate Placement of Dental Implants

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of erbium-chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (ErCr:YSGG 2780 nm) laser irradiation on infected and/or inflamed post-extraction sites for the immediate placement, and when possible, immediate loading, of endosseous implants. Background: Post-extraction site infection is a serious complication. Surgical and nonsurgical options are available to treat such event, together with various decontamination methods. However, there is still no consensus on which treatment is the most effective. Materials and methods: Sixty-six patients were included in the study for a total of 94 post-extraction implants, inserted in the maxilla and mandible. All patients were eligible for implant therapy, having at least one compromised tooth requiring extraction, along with sign of inflammation and/or infection. Surgery and socket decontamination were performed using an ErCr:YSGG laser. To improve bone healing, Bio-Oss(R) and resorbable membrane were used in 57 patients. Eleven implants were immediately loaded, whereas 83 were loaded within 3-6 months, depending on the extraction site. Intraoral radiographs were taken at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from the implant placement to assess the alveolar bone level and treatment's outcome. Albrektsson criteria were chosen to evaluate the treatment success rate. Results: Follow-up went from 6 months to 4 years. Success rate was 94.6% (89/94): three implants failed to integrate due to poor patient compliance, being expelled during the second week, whereas two implants presented factory defects (abutment). No sockets presented signs of residual infection during follow-up. Conclusions: The combination of mechanical, chemical, and laser treatment was proven to be highly effective for the disinfection of post-extraction sites. The ErCr:YSGG laser is a useful tool, not only for his practicality as a surgical device but also as a disinfection tool, granting optimal results after implant surgery.