Bacterial reduction by photodynamic therapy in peri-implantitis

Abstract

Progressive peri-implantar bone losses, which are accompanied by inflammatory process in the soft tissues is referred to as peri-implantitis. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of lethal photosensitization with the conventional technique on bacterial reduction in ligature induced peri-implantitis in dogs. Seventeen third premolars of eight Labrador dogs were extracted and, immediately after, the implants were submerged. After osseointegration, peri-implantitis was induced. After 4 months, ligature were removed and the same period was waited for natural induction of bacterial plaque. The dogs were randomly divided into two groups. In the conventional group, they were treated with the conventional techniques of mucoperiosteal flaps for scaling the implant surface and irrigation with chlorexidine. In the laser group, only mucoperiosteal scaling was carried out before photodynamic therapy. On the peri-implantar pocket an azulene paste was introduced and a GaAlAs low-power laser (l= 660 nm, P= 30 mW, E= 5,4 J and Dt= 3 min.) was applied. Microbiological samples were obtained before and immediately after treatment. The results of this study showed that Prevotella sp., Fusobacterium e S. Beta-haemolyticus were significantly reduced for the conventional and laser groups (100%,99.8%; 100%,100%; 85.7%,97.6%, respectively).