LASERS IN MEDICAL SCIENCE, cilt.30, sa.1, ss.11-15, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
Both mechanical and chemical methods can be used to clean and decontaminate implant surfaces. Incomplete debridement of infected tissue and failure to clear endotoxins can result in graft failure and a return of the defect. Recently, lasers have gained popularity for sterilizing and cleaning implant surfaces. We determined the effects of laser treatment on the surface characteristics of titanium discs with a Laser-Lok surface. The discs were irradiated with an erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser under various conditions (R1-9). Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the surface. Considerable surface alterations such as melting and flattening were seen at R6 (2 W, 20 Hz, 4 mm, 45 s) and R8 (3 W, 25 Hz, 2 mm, 45 s). In addition, cracking was seen at R8. The laser parameters should be optimized to conserve surface characteristics during the irradiation of implant surfaces.