title: CO2 Laser Excision of a Pyogenic Granuloma Associated with Dental Implants: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reports the CO2 laser excision of a pyogenic granuloma related to dental implants and reviews the current literature on this pathology in association with dental implants.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Five publications describe pyogenic granulomas related to dental implants, and a further one describes the removal of such a lesion with an Er:YAG laser; removal with a CO2 laser is not reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 67-year-old male patient presented with a hyperplastic gingival lesion around two implants in the left lower jaw. The hyperplastic tissue was removed with a CO2 laser (Lasram; model OPAL 25, 25 W continuous wave, 10.600 nm, gas laser), and a vestibuloplasty was performed. The excised tissue was examined histopathologically. The patient was followed up after 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year, and a panoramic X-ray was also made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no complications during surgery or follow-up. The panoramic X-ray taken 1 year after excision showed neither vertical bone loss nor impaired osseointegration of the implant. Histopathology reported a pyogenic granuloma. After vestibuloplasty, the height of the fixed mucosa was satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CO2 laser seems to be a safe and appropriate tool for removal of a pyogenic granuloma in close proximity to dental implants. The laser parameters must, however, be chosen carefully and any additional irritants should be excluded to prevent a recurrence.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Medical University Graz , Graz, Austria .
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Truschnegg
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Medical University Graz , Graz, Austria .
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acham
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Prosthodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology and Implantology, University Clinic of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, Medical University Graz , Graz, Austria .
authors.forename: Lumnije
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kqiku
authors.affiliation: 3 IMAH, Institute of Morphological Analytics and Human Genetics , Graz, Austria .
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beham
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Medical University Graz , Graz, Austria .
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jakse
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017789:Granuloma, Pyogenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants