Thermal Effects of 445-nm Diode Laser Irradiation on Titanium and Ceramic Implants.

This study aimed to evaluate temperature changes in titanium and ceramic implants after using a 445-nm diode laser under different in vitro conditions. Titanium (Ti) and ceramic (Zr) dental implants were placed into a bone analog, and an intrabony defect was created at each implant. A 445-nm diode laser was used to irradiate the defects for 30 seconds, noncontact, at 2 W in continuous wave (c.w.) and pulsed mode. The experiment was done at room temperature (21.0 +/- 1 degrees C) and in a water bath (37.0 +/- 1 degrees C). Two thermocouple probes were used to record real-time temperature changes ( degrees C) at the coronal part of the implant (Tc) and the apex (Ta). The temperature was recorded at time 0 (To) and after 30 seconds of irradiation (Tf). The average temperature change was calculated, and a descriptive analysis was conducted (P < .05). The Ti implant resulted in the highest DeltaT values coronally (29.6 degrees C) and apically (6.7 degrees C) using continuous wave at 21 degrees C. The Zr implant increased to 26.4 degrees C coronally and 5.2 degrees C apically. In the water bath, the coronal portion of the Ti and Zr implants rose to 14.2 degrees C and 14.01 degrees C, respectively, using continuous waves. The DeltaT values for Ti were 11.9 degrees C coronally and 1.7 degrees C apically when placed in a water bath using pulsed mode. The lowest DeltaT occurred on the Zr implant with DeltaTc and DeltaTa of 4.8 degrees C and 0.78 degrees C, respectively. Under in vitro conditions, the 445-nm diode laser in pulsed mode seems to be safe for use on ceramic implants and should be used with caution on titanium implants.