title: Removal of Dental Implants Using the Erbium,Chromium:Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet Laser and the Conventional Trephine Bur: An in Vitro Comparative Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the conventional trephine bur and the Erbium,chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser in removing implants in terms of the volume of removed bone, duration of the procedure, and morphological changes on the bone surface.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three human mandibles were utilized, and four implants were inserted in each mandible using a drilling handpiece and burs. The implants were divided into two groups (n = 6) in which two implants from each mandible were removed using a trephine bur running at 1200 rounds per minute (rpm) with water irrigation. The remaining implants (n = 6) were removed with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (power 6 W, frequency 20 Hz, pulse duration 50 μs, water 60, air 30). The volume of bone loss was calculated by filling the holes with mercury and measuring its volume. The preparation time was measured with a digital stopwatch and the postoperative bone surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laser group exhibited a smaller amount of bone loss than the trephine bur group, whereas the latter required a shorter time of preparation. SEM revealed empty trabecular spaces with no signs of carbonization and well-defined edges in the laser group, whereas the trephine group displayed a surface covered with a smear layer and microcracks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Er,Cr:YSGG laser provides superior results over the trephine bur in terms of bone preservation, thermal damage, and cutting efficiency.
authors: 1 Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Hajji
authors: 1 Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Rene
authors: R
authors: Franzen
authors: 1 Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Grümer
authors: 2 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Modabber
authors: 1 Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Riman
authors: R
authors: Nasher
authors: 3 Department of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachrn University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Prescher
authors: 1 Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital , Aachen, Germany .
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Gutknecht
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants