Effect of low-level laser therapy on osseointegration of titanium dental implants in ovariectomized rabbits: biomechanics and micro-CT analysis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The primary aim of this study is to assess, in an animal model, whether biostimulation of osteoporotic bone with low-level laser therapy improves the osseointegration of dental implants. Material and methods Twenty-two female rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: sham-ovariectomy and bilateral-ovariectomy. Laser therapy was applied to the implants placed in the right tibial bones and was not applied to implants placed in the left tibial bones. The periotest device was used for the stability test. Periotest values were recorded after the implantation (T0) and when the animals were euthanized (T1). The removal torque test and micro-computed tomography examination were evaluated. Results As a result of removal torque, the mean of ovariectomy-laser group (56.1 ± 5.1 Ncm) was higher than sham-ovariectomy group (55.4 ± 18.5 Ncm) (p = 0.9). In periotest analysis, a significant difference was found between the values of T1 and T0 in all groups, except sham-ovariectomy group (p < 0.05); and the highest difference was found in the ovariectomy-laser group. Micro-CT examination demonstrated that ovariectomy-laser group showed an increase of implant–bone contact when compared with ovariectomy (p < 0.05). Conclusions The values obtained from biomechanical tests and micro-CT in the ovariectomy-laser group were significantly higher than the ovariectomy group and achieved the values in the healthy bone.

Keywords

• Dental implant
• Osseointegration
• Low-level laser therapy
• Osteoporosis
• Micro-CT