A preliminary randomized clinical trial comparing diode laser and scalpel periosteal incision during implant surgery: impact on postoperative morbidity and implant survival.

The aim of this preliminary randomized clinical trial was to compare: (1) post-operative morbidity after application of laser or scalpel incision for flap advancement during implant surgery and bone grafting and (2) implant survival rate following flap advancement with laser or scalpel incision after 6 months of loading. Eighteen patients who were scheduled for dental implant placement and simultaneous bone grafting were randomly assigned to test or control groups. Diode laser (810 nm, 2 W, pulse interval 200 µs; pulse length 100 µs, 400-µm initiated fiber tip), or scalpel (control) was used to sever the periosteum to create a tension-free flap. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, rate of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption, intensity of swelling, and ecchymosis were measured for the six postsurgical days. Six months after loading, implant survival was assessed. VAS pain score (during the first four postoperative days), rate of NSAID consumption (during the first three postoperative days), and intensity of swelling (during the first five postoperative days) were significantly lower in the test group compared to the control group (All P values < 0.05). One patient in the control group experienced ecchymosis. All implants were successful in function. Application of laser for performing periosteal releasing incision reduced the incidence and severity of postoperative morbidity of the patients undergone implant surgery in conjunction with bone augmentation procedure. We did not find any detrimental effect of laser incision on the implant survival within 6 months of loading.

Laser-Assisted Osteotomy for Implant Site Preparation: A Literature Review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the scientific evidence about the laser osteotomy in implant bed preparation. METHODS: An electronic search was performed on relevant English articles up to April 2016 in the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles (1 clinical, 13 animal, and 8 ex vivo studies) were included. Implant sites prepared by erbium family lasers and drill showed comparable results regarding the percentage of bone-to-implant contact, values of biomechanical tests, and healing process. Selection of proper laser wavelength and parameters was of paramount importance to minimize the risk of thermal bone damage. Lack of depth control and long time needed for implant site osteotomy with laser were the most challenging concerns for its clinical applicability. Computer-guided laser osteotomy showed promise for future use of laser osteotomy in clinical settings. CONCLUSION: Evidence from animal studies shows promising results regarding laser osteotomy in implant site preparation. However, because of the lack of clinical studies, it is not possible to make a conclusive result whether there is superiority of laser osteotomy in clinical practice.

Effect of Postoperative Amoxicillin on Early Bacterial Colonization of Peri-Implant Sulcus: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: With side effects of antibiotics taken into consideration, the necessity of antibiotic therapy after simple implant placement procedures is still a subject of debate and the existing literature on this topic is widely controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of postoperative amoxicillin therapy on early colonization of peri-implant sulcus after implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 20 patients requiring simple implant placement were randomly allocated to test or control groups and received postoperative amoxicillin or placebo, respectively. Microbiological samples were collected on day 0 and day 7. Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were utilized to evaluate changes in colony count of identified bacterial species between the test and control groups, and between day 0 and day 7. RESULTS: The decrease in the number of sensitive facultative species and the increase in the number of resistant anaerobes in amoxicillin group were statistically significant as compared to the placebo group (P=0.025 and P=0.005, respectively). The increase in the number of sensitive anaerobes in the placebo group as compared to amoxicillin group, and the decrease in the number of facultative Gram-positive cocci as compared to the placebo group were statistically significant (P=0.011 and P=0.035, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative administration of amoxicillin resulted in an increase in the number of resistant anaerobes and a decrease in the number of sensitive facultative bacteria and facultative Gram-positive cocci, as compared to the placebo, but with no sign/symptom of infection in any group.

Periosteal Releasing Incision With Diode Laser in Guided Bone Regeneration Procedure: A Case Series.

Introduction: Periosteal releasing incision (PRI) is nearly always essential to advance the flap sufficiently for a tension-free flap closure in bone augmentation procedures. However, hematoma, swelling, and pain are recognized as the main consequences of PRI with scalpel. The aim of this case series was to investigate the effectiveness of laser-assisted PRI in guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure. In addition, postoperative hematoma, swelling, and pain and implant success were assessed. Methods: Seventeen patients needed GBR were included in this study. Diode laser (940 nm, 2 W, pulse interval: 1 ms, pulse length: 1 ms, contact mode, 400-µm fiber tip) was used in a contact mode to cut the periosteum to create a tension-free flap. Facial hematoma, swelling, pain, and the number of consumed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were measured for the six postoperative days. Six months after implant loading, implant success was evaluated. Results: Minimal bleeding was encountered during the procedure. A tension-free primary closure of the flap was achieved in all cases. The clinical healing of the surgical area was uneventful. None of the patients experienced hematoma, ecchymosis, or intense swelling after surgery. The mean value of maximum pain (visual analogue scale - VAS) was 20.59 ± 12.10 mm (mild pain). Patients did not need to use NSAID after four postoperative days. All implants were successful and functional and none of them failed after 6 months of implant loading. Conclusion: This study revealed the effectiveness of laser-assisted PRI in GBR procedure. This technique was accompanied with minimal sequelae at the first postoperative week. All implants were successful and no complication was noted during the course of this study.