title: Scanning electron microscopic analysis of diode laser-treated titanium implant surfaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to analyze the possible morphological alterations of the surface implants after using 980-nm diode laser irradiation (InGalAsP) at various energies.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Laser-based protocols have been proposed for decontaminating dental implant surfaces when treating peri-implantitis, although few studies have addressed this topic directly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five smooth surface implants (TiOblast ST, Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) were irradiated with 980-nm diode laser, and one implant that was not lased served as the control. The surface of each implant was treated for 60 sec on implant neck to apical threads. The experiment consisted of exposing the dental titanium implants to diode laser irradiation. Then the surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  SEM analysis demonstrated any damage or alteration of titanium surfaces. Regardless of the power setting, there was no visible difference between lased and non-lased titanium surfaces after irradiation with the 980-nm diode laser.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that the InGalAsP diode laser (980 nm) does not damage titanium surfaces, and seems to be safe and useful of treating peri-implantitis, irrespective of power output.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Gonzalo López
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallas
authors.forename: Ignacio Rodríguez
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.forename: José Luis Leyes
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Borrajo
authors.forename: Juan Cuevas
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Luis García
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Varela
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium