Evaluation of Surface Change and Roughness in Implants Lost Due to Peri-Implantitis Using Erbium Laser and Various Methods: An In Vitro Study

The aim of our study was to obtain similar surface properties and elemental composition to virgin implants after debridement of contaminated titanium implant surfaces covered with debris. Erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser, erbium, chromium-doped:yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser, curette, and ultrasonic device were applied to contaminated implant surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were taken, the elemental profile of the surfaces was evaluated with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and the surface roughness was analyzed with profilometry. Twenty-eight failed implants and two virgin implants as control were included in the study. The groups were designed accordingly; titanium curette group, ultrasonic scaler with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tip, Er: YAG very short pulse laser group (100 μs, 120 mJ/pulse 10 Hz), Er: YAG short-pulse laser group (300 μs, 120 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz), Er: YAG long-pulse laser group (600 μs, 120 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz), Er, Cr: YSGG1 laser group (1 W 10 Hz), Er, Cr: YSGG2 laser group (1.5 W, 30 Hz). In each group, four failed implants were debrided for 120 s. When SEM images and EDX findings and profilometry results were evaluated together, Er: YAG long pulse and ultrasonic groups were found to be the most effective for debridement. Furthermore, the two interventions have shown the closest topography of the sandblasted, large grit, acid-etched implant surface (SLA) as seen on virgin implants.