Heat generation in hydroxyapatite-coated implants as a result of CO₂ laser application

Previous studies have demonstrated that heat may induce bone resorption and minimize the regenerative capacity of bone. This finding is of potential clinical importance because the carbon dioxide laser may often be used to surgically expose dental implants. However, little is known about the actual amount of heat generated at the implant-bone interface. This experiment measured heat generation on the surface of dental implants exposed to the carbon dioxide laser. A total of 90 trials were performed. A complete factorial (3×3×2) experimental design was used to evaluate the interactions among laser wattage output (4, 8, and 15 watts), duration of exposure time (1, 5, or 15 seconds) and variations in emission conditions (pulsed or continuous laser mode). Linear increases in temperature to temperatures greater than 50°C were observed with increases in wattage output or duration of exposure time. The pulse mode generated significantly less heat. The results of this study suggest that caution should be used when using the carbon dioxide laser for second stage dental implant surgery.