Laser Therapy for Infected Sites and Immediate Dental Implants in the Esthetic Zone: A Case Report and Review of Literature

A clinical protocol for immediate dental implant placement in post-extraction-infected sites decontaminated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser

BACKGROUND

Placement of dental implants into fresh extraction sockets offers some advantages, such as reduced treatment times and enhanced patient comfort. The Er,Cr:YSGG (Erbium, Chromium-doped: Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, and Garnet) laser can significantly reduce bacterial concentration after the extraction of a compromised tooth. The aim of this article is to provide a clinical protocol for the management of implants placed in infected extraction sites decontaminated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser.

METHODS

A compromised tooth, which was an abutment for a fixed bridge, with clinical and radiological signs of infection was extracted. The infected site was treated and decontaminated with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser device (Biolase iPlus®) and two implants (Straumann®) were placed in the same surgery, in order to rehabilitate the edentulous area. The intervention was completed by tissue regeneration with biomaterials.

RESULTS

Prosthetic rehabilitation after the surgical phase allowed us to provide correct function and satisfactory esthetics. In the follow-up visit, clinicians found good tissue healing and did not observe any complications, such as implant loss or peri-implantitis. The technique used in our study is repeatable and predictable, but patient selection is very important for this type of protocol as the presence of contraindications can lead to failure. The photoacoustic effect exerted by this type of laser has been proven to be effective against many pathogens. Several authors have previously demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate implantation in infected sites decontaminated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser does not seem to contribute to an increased risk of failure; however, it is necessary to follow a certain set of protocols and procedures to prevent peri-implantitis and other complications.

Immediate dental implant placement in post-extraction-infected sites decontaminated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser: a retrospective cohort study

Dental implants placed in fresh extraction alveoli provide several advantages, including shorter treatment periods and improved patient comfort. After a compromised tooth extraction, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser can considerably reduce bacterial concentration. The objective of this controlled study conducted after at least 1 year of follow-up was to compare the use of immediate post-extraction implants in infected sites treated with laser (test group) versus conventional implants in edentulous sites (control group) through an analysis of pre- and post-operative radiographs. The study was based on a series of patients treated between 2014 and 2019, with a 1-year minimum follow-up, and up to over 4 years. An analysis of the clinical history of the treated patients and pre- and post-operative radiographs was performed to evaluate the implant success and to measure the marginal bone level (MBL). Overall, 149 implants were studied. There was only one failure in the test group (1%) and no failures in the control group. The test group gained 0.1 mm of the MBL compared to the baseline, while the control group lost 0.1 mm of the MBL. The difference between the two groups of only 0.2 mm was not statistically significant (P = 0.058). Immediate dental implants in infected sockets debrided and decontaminated using Er,Cr:YSGG laser do not appear to enhance the likelihood of failure; however, peri-implantitis and associated problems must be avoided by following a certain set of protocols and procedures.

Conservative Therapy of External Invasive Cervical Resorption with Adhesive Systems: A 6-Year Follow-Up Case Report and Literature Review

The diagnosis and treatment of external invasive cervical resorption (EICR) could be a challenging clinical situation even for the most experienced dentists. It is a fairly rare lesion and a poorly understood phenomenon, and its insidious and aggressive nature can lead to tooth loss. Even in the era of dental implants, trying to save a compromised tooth is imperative for any clinician. This report presents a case of an upper central incisor with a class II Heithersay EICR in which treatment was performed using a multidisciplinary approach and the defect was restored with resin composite. The surgery in which the defect was exposed and repaired was followed by an endodontic treatment and the placement of a fiber-reinforced post. In this case, the use of modern materials, such as resin composites, allowed not only the avoidance of tooth extraction but also the achievement of satisfactory aesthetic results. The 6-year follow-up demonstrated the success of therapy and the resolution of clinical symptoms. This case report highlights the importance of early detection of EICR and how composite resins could provide an effective and aesthetic restauration of the defect, which favors the health of the surrounding gingival tissue.

Implant Periapical Lesion: A Narrative Review

Implant periapical lesion (IPL) is an infectious-inflammatory alteration surrounding an implant apex. It is a multifactorial disease that may ultimately cause implant failure. The diagnosis of IPL is based on examination of clinical manifestations and apical radiolucency. Many etiologies have been attributed to IPL, including preexisting microbial pathology and surgical trauma. Moreover, many systems have been used to classify IPL based on different parameters. To date, non-surgical and surgical treatment, as well as removal of failed implants, have been considered to successfully manage IPL. However, prevention of IPL surpasses all modes of treatment. An increased number of IPL cases are expected as implants have become standard for tooth replacement in dentate arches. Therefore, it is necessary to understand IPL more comprehensively. Herein, an introduction to IPL, including its etiology, diagnosis, classification, treatment, and prevention, has been undertaken.