Temperature Changes and SEM Effects of Three Different Implants-Abutment Connection during Debridement with Er:YAG Laser: An Ex Vivo Study

The study aimed to evaluate a temperature increase in, and damage to, titanium implants during flapless laser debridement. The study analyzed 15 implants with various implant–abutment connections: a two-piece implant (n = 4) with a screw abutment (IA—Implant–Abutment) and a one-piece implant with a ball type fixture (BTF, n = 4) or fix type fixture (FTF, n = 4). The implants were placed in porcine mandibles 2 mm over a bone crest to imitate a peri-implantitis. The implants were debrided in contact mode for 60 s with a Er:YAG laser at fluence of 9.95 J/cm(2) (G1 group: 50 mJ/30 Hz); 19.89 J/cm(2) (G2 group: 100 mJ/30 Hz); 39.79 J/cm(2) (G3 group: 200 mJ/30 Hz), or a scaler with a ceramic tip (G4 control group: 4 W/20 Hz). The temperature was measured with thermocouples at implant and abutment levels. The damage in the titanium surface (n = 3, non-irradiated implants from each type) was assessed using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The temperature increase at the implant level for the laser was higher at IA in contrast with FTF and BTF. (p < 0.05) The temperature change at the abutment level was lower for the scaler in contrast to Er:YAG laser at FTF. (p < 0.0002) Er:YAG laser didn’t increase the temperature by 10 °C at 100 mJ/30 Hz and 50 mJ/30 Hz. Based on SEM analysis, cracks occurred on the surface of two-piece implants and were more pronounced. Cracks and the melting of the titanium surface of two-piece implants cleaned with Er:YAG laser at 100 or 200 mJ were observed. The specimens treated with the ultrasonic scaler with a plastic curette showed the remaining dark debris on the titanium surface. We recommend using Er:YAG laser at 50 mJ/30 Hz during flapless implants debridement.