ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on the osseointegration of immediate implants in a healing situation with greater challenges. The mandibular premolars of eight beagle dogs were submitted to ligature-induced periodontal disease. After 3 months, teeth were extracted and immediate implants were placed in the sockets previously decontaminated by mechanical debridement (MD) or MD+aPDT. Following 12 weeks, the dogs were euthanized and the specimens were analyzed. Histologic and histomorphometric analyses demonstrated significantly better results for the immediate implants decontaminated by debridement associated with aPDT. The sites treated with MD+aPDT led to osseointegration of the immediate implants without evidence of inflammation; conversely, evidence of peri-implantitis was observed where aPDT was not used.
