Effect of Er:YAG, CO(2) and diode laser irradiation on surface properties of zirconia endosseous dental implants.
OBJECTIVE
Zirconia implants (ZI) are becoming more popular in implant dentistry, as a result of their favorable esthetic outcome. However, little is known about the impact laser application has on this material in the course of peri-implantitis treatment. The objective of this investigation was to analyze the influence of Er:YAG, CO(2) and diode laser irradiation on polished ZI.


METHODS
Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic disks were irradiated at different power settings with either an Er:YAG, CO(2) or diode laser. The surface of the disks was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal 3D white light microscopy (CWLM). In addition energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was performed on all disks. Six specimens were used for each parameter set of each laser.


RESULTS
SEM analysis demonstrated that, regardless of the power settings, neither the diode laser nor the Er:YAG laser caused any visible surface alterations to ZI. The results of the CWLM were in agreement with the SEM pictures. However, Er:YAG irradiation did penetrate through the disks. At various power settings, the CO(2) treatment was characterized by material cracking and melting. The increased roughness values (from CWLM) of the ZI underlined the SEM observations.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to diode and Er:YAG laser irradiation, the CO(2) laser revealed distinct surface alterations to zirconia at various laser parameters. However, the Er:YAG laser cannot be recommended for the treatment of ailing implants, as the laser beam penetrates the material. In this respect, currently, diode lasers seem to be the only laser systems offering surface preservation and safety in the treatment of peri-implantits with ZI.
Stübinger
Stefan
S
Hightech Research Center of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Basel, Schanzenstrasse 46, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. sstuebinger@uhbs.ch
Homann
Frank
F
Etter
Christof
C
Miskiewicz
Miroslaw
M
Wieland
Marco
M
Sader
Robert
R
D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000528:radiation effects; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015921:Dental Implants; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000528:radiation effects; D015040:Zirconium / Q000528:radiation effects*
D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide