Academy of Laser Dentistry

J O U R N A L O F L A S E R D E N T I S T R Y | 2 011 V O L . 19 , N O . 3
270
C A S E R E P O R T
Treatment of Periimplant Infection in the Posterior
Maxilla, with 810-nm Diode Laser Decontamination
of the Implant Surfaces: A Case Report
Ahmad Kutkut, DDS, MS, 1 Sebastiano Andreana, DDS, MS, 2 Mohanad Al-Sabbagh, DDS, MS 3
1University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry, Division of Restorative Dentistry, Lexington,
Kentucky, USA; 2State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, Department
of Restorative Dentistry, Buffalo, NY, USA; 3University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry, Division
of Periodontology, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
J Laser Dent 2011;19(3):270-275
Ahmad Kutkut, DDS, MS
Sebastiano Andreana, DDS, MS
Mohanad Al-Sabbagh, DDS, MS
I N T R O D U C T I O N
The predictability of dental
implants has led to widespread
acceptance of this treatment
modality as an option for replacement
of missing teeth. Success rates
for dental implants are reported to
be 90% or higher. 1-2 However, complications
that may require immediate
Kutkut, Andreana, and Al-Sabbagh
A B S T R A C T
Dental implant therapy is considered a safe and predictable method of
replacing extracted or missing teeth. However, a number of complications may
occur in association with implant dentistry, one of which is periimplantitis.
Periimplantitis is defined as an inflammatory process affecting the tissue around
a dental implant; the condition is characterized by soft tissue inflammation and
loss of the bone supporting the implant.
The ultimate goal in treating periimplantitis is gaining reosseointegration of
the infected implant surfaces. Several methods have been used in an attempt
to achieve this goal, including conservative and regenerative treatment in
conjunction with several techniques for decontaminating (i.e., disinfecting) the
infected surfaces. One of the most recently reported techniques for achieving
dental implant decontamination and gaining reosseointegration in both animals
and humans is the use of a soft tissue surgical laser. The findings of several
studies suggest that the soft tissue surgical laser is an effective therapeutic
modality in the treatment of periimplantitis.
The aim of this paper is to report a case involving implant complications that
were treated with various methods aimed at enhancing the process of
reosseointegration.
K E Y W O R D S
Dental implant, periimplantitis, bone regeneration, osseointegration, laser
decontamination
intervention do occur. For the clinician,
the consequences of implant
retreatment may compromise the
ability to accomplish satisfactory
function and esthetics. For the
patient, this retreatment usually
involves further cost and additional
surgical procedures.
Implant complications may be
caused by several factors, including
early complications, overheating of
the bone, contamination and trauma
during surgery, poor bone quantity
or quality, lack of primary stability,
preexisting infection, and incorrect
immediate loading of the implant.
Other complications may appear
later, such as periimplantitis,
occlusal trauma, and overloading.
All of these conditions may compromise
the final treatment outcome. 3
Periimplantitis is defined as an
inflammatory process affecting the
supporting tissues around an
osseointegrated implant and
resulting in loss of adjacent bone.
Periimplant mucositis is defined as
reversible inflammatory changes of