Dr. Josep Arnabat-Dominguez

Associate Professor of Oral Surgery Faculty of Medicine and Health of Science. School of Dentistry, University of Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain. Professor of the Master degree program in Oral Surgery and Implantology Faculty of Medicine and Health of Science. School of Dentistry, University of Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain.

Director; Master laser in Dentistry EMDOLA (European Master Degree in Oral Laser Applications) University of Barcelona, Spain. Coordinator for international relations of Dentistry School. Faculty of Medicine and Health of Science. University of Barcelona, Spain.

Affiliated to several scientific societies: Member of the WFLD Past Chairman of the European division (2012-14). Founder of Spanish Society of Laser in Dentistry SELO and Past-President (2010-14) Founder of Spanish Society of Oral Surgery, Member of Spanish Society of Periodontology. Member of Spanish Society of Dental Prosthesis. Catalonian Academy of Medical Sciences, Catalonian Society of Dentistry, Catalonian Dental Association.

Lasers applications in Implantology: advantages and limitations

Different types of lasers can be applied to implants. In this review we will assess the advantages and limitations of the use of lasers in implantology. We can apply the laser at different times of implantology: during the preparation of the bone bed, during the second surgical phase or as therapy in mucositis and peri-implantitis.

In this session we will discuss about different lasers and their benefits and limitations in each of these three phases of implantology. During bone preparation, we will discuss what types of lasers can be used for drilling the bone bed as well as knowing what advantages and limitations it has. Photobiomodulation during implant osseointegration will be reviewed exposing its advantages and limitations depending on the type of laser used.

In the second-stage surgery of submerged healed implants Er,Cr:YSGG laser has a successful result, but  implants located in aesthetic zone or in areas with insufficient surrounded by keratinized mucosa it will be a problem.  In order to improve this results the we purpose a new technic to improve this procedure so instead to eliminate all the keratinized mucosa, we recommend a rolling-flap, so that the keratinized mucosa in palatine zone can be move to the buccal zone so the keratinized mucosa is preserved to the maximum.

A number of laser systems have been used in the different phases of peri-implantitis treatment. Depending on the operating wavelength involved, lasers can be used in different phases with the aim of securing the best results. In this regard, CO2, Er:YAG Er,Cr:YSGG, diode  and photodynamic therapy have been used for the decontamination of implant surfaces.

In non-surgical peri-implantitis treatments, lasers are used to decontaminate the implant surface and to reduce inflammation of the peri-implant mucosa. Some laser systems are better suited for application in this phase since such procedures do not involve the raising of a tissue flap. In this regard, optical fiber lasers are the ideal choice in such situations.