Clinical Evaluation of Role of Laser in Soft Tissue Surgical Guide for Implant Placement

Abstract

Background: Applying automated laser ablation procedures with pulsed, electronically administered diode laser equipment, and large-area masking results in highly aligned, uniform microstructures on these surfaces. Aim: Clinical evaluation of role of laser in soft tissue surgical guide for implant placement. Methods and Materials: This study included 30 patients with dental implants in their oral cavity. These patients were divided into two categories. Category 1: Control where laser was not used for soft tissue guide. Category 2: Laser group where laser was used for soft tissue guide. There was the evaluation of bleeding index, plaque index, probing depth, and crestal bone loss in each patient at 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up by the same clinician. Results: There was decline in values of bleeding index, plaque index, and probing depth in both control group and laser group at 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. However, the decline in values was more pronounced in laser group. There was more increase in crestal bone loss as time progressed in control group while the increase in crestal bone loss in laser group was minimal as time progressed. Conclusion: Laser can be applied successfully in soft tissue surgical guide for implant placement as it gives better results regarding soft tissue health and crestal bone loss.

Keywords

• implants
• laser
• surgical guide