Effect of Er:YAG Laser Exposure on the Amorphous Smear Layer in the Marginal Zone of the Osteotomy Site for Placement of Dental Screw Implants: A Histomorphological Study

Abstract

The placement of dental screw implants typically involves the use of rotary techniques and drills to create a bone bed. This study explores the potential benefits of combining this method with an Er:YAG laser. Split osteotomies were performed on 10 jaws of euthanized domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica), with 12 mandibular implant osteotomies in each jaw, divided into 4 groups. In order to make a comprehensive assessment of the effect of Er:YAG lasers, histomorphological techniques were used to measure the reduction in amorphous layer thickness after Er:YAG laser treatment, both with and without the placement of dental screw implants from different manufacturers. Following bone decalcification and staining, the thickness of the amorphous layer was measured in four groups: Group A—osteotomy performed without Er:YAG laser treatment—had amorphous layer thicknesses ranging from 21.813 to 222.13 µm; Group B—osteotomy performed with Er:YAG laser treatment—had amorphous layer thicknesses ranging from 6.08 to 64.64 µm; Group C—an implant placed in the bone without laser treatment—had amorphous layer thicknesses of 5.90 to 54.52 µm; and Group D—an implant placed after bone treatment with Er:YAG laser—had amorphous layer thicknesses of 1.29 to 7.98 µm. The examination and photomicrodocumentation was performed using a LEICA DM1000 LED microscope (Germany) and LAS V 4.8 software (Leica Application Suite V4, Leica Microsystems, Germany). When comparing group A to group B and group C to D, statistically significant differences were indicated (p-value = 0.000, p < 0.05). The study demonstrates the synergistic effects and the possibility of integrating lasers into the conventional implantation protocol. By applying our own method of biomodification, the smear layer formed during rotary osteotomy can be reduced using Er:YAG lasers. This reduction leads to a narrower peri-implant space and improved bone-to-implant contact, facilitating accelerated osseointegration.