Q-Switch Nd:YAG Laser-Assisted Elimination of Multi-Species Biofilm on Titanium Surfaces

Abstract

(1) Background: The relatively high prevalence of peri-implantitis (PI) and the lack of a standard method for decontamination of the dental implant surface have pushed us to conduct further research in the field. Bacterial biofilms were found to play a primordial role in the etiology of PI. Therefore, the aim is to evaluate the efficacy of a laser-assisted elimination of biofilm protocol in the removal of a multi-species biofilm on titanium surfaces. (2) Methods: In total, 52 titanium discs (grade 4) were used. The study group consisted of 13 titanium disks contaminated with multi-species biofilms and subsequently irradiated with the laser (T + BF + L). The control groups consisted of the following types of titanium disks: 13 contaminated with multi-species biofilms (T + BF), 13 sterile and irradiated (T + L), 13 sterile and untreated (T). Q-Switch Nd:YAG laser Irradiation parameters were the following: energy density equal to 0.597 J/cm2 per pulse, power equal to 270 milliwatt per pulse, 2.4 mm of spot diameter, and 10 Hz repetition rate for pulse duration of six nanoseconds (ns). The laser irradiation was made during 2 s of total time in non-contact and at 0.5 mm away from the titanium disc surface. After treatment, presence of biofilms on the disks was evaluated by staining with crystal violet (CV), which was measured as optical density at six hundred thirty nm, and statistical analyses were done. (3) Results: the optical density values were 0.004 ± 0.004 for the study group T + BF + L, 0.120 ± 0.039 for group T + BF, 0.006 ± 0.003 for group T + L, and 0.007 ± 0.007 for group T. For the study group, laser treatment resulted in a total elimination of the biofilm, with mean values statistically significantly lower than those of contaminated titanium surfaces and similar to those of sterile titanium surfaces. (4) Conclusions: Our irradiation protocol provided a significant elimination of the multi-species biofilm on titanium surfaces. Laser treated titanium surfaces were biofilm-free, similar to the sterile ones.

Effect of an Er,Cr:YSGG Laser on the Surface of Implants: A Descriptive Comparative Study of 3 Different Tips and Pulse Energies

“…A study showed that the Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 1 Watt of power, for 30 s, is capable of the complete elimination of A.baumannii and P.aeruginosa biofilm on the implant surface without damaging the surface topography [ 25 ]. Regarding the use of the other lasers, such as Nd:YAG, a recent study [ 26 ] showed that Q-Switch Nd:YAG laser-assisted biofilm removal has provided a significant elimination of the biofilm on titanium surfaces.…”

Assessment of Disinfection Potential of Q-Switch Nd: YAG Laser on Contaminated Titanium Implant Surfaces

“…The irradiation parameters used in this study were similar to the irradiation parameters used by Namour et al [21,22] based on the theoretical modeling of the optimal energy density respecting the implant surfaces' porosity.…”

“…This resulted in the total absence of carbon and without causing any morphological change of the irradiated implant surfaces. In a later study, Namour et al [22] demonstrated that similar irradiation protocol with the Q-switch Nd: YAG laser was able to significantly eliminate the multi-species biofilm from the titanium surface [22]. The authors did not assess the disinfection state of that irradiated titanium surfaces.…”

The Use of Lasers in Dental Materials: A Review

“…Decontaminating (or detoxifying) the oral biofilm-contaminated titanium surface without altering it is fundamental for the treatment of periimplantitis [ 35 ]. Laser treatment has been proved to be effective in the decontamination of oral biofilm-contaminated titanium surfaces [ 36 , 37 ]. Several types of lasers have been studied for this purpose.…”