Influence of low‐level laser treatment on bone regeneration and osseointegration of dental implants following sinus augmentation: An experimental study on sheep

Abstract

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate if low-level laser treatment (LLLT) enhances bone regeneration and osseointegration of dental implants in a sinus graft model. Twelve sheep underwent a bilateral sinus floor elevation procedure with cancellous bone from the iliac crest. Implant insertion followed 4 weeks (six sheep) and 12 weeks (six sheep) later. Sixteen weeks after second-stage surgery, animals were sacrificed. Unilaterally, the grafted sinus and during the second-stage surgery the implant sites were irradiated intraoperatively and three times during the first postoperative week with a diode laser (75 mW, 680 nm). The overall energy density per irradiation was 3-4 J/cm(2). Biopsies of the augmented area were obtained during implant insertion and after scarification. Bone regeneration within the grafted sinus histomorphometric analysis hardly differed between control and test side both 4 and 12 weeks after sinus grafting. Osseointegration measurements resulted in a significantly higher bone/implant contact (BIC) on the test side (P=0.045). Further evaluation of peri-implant bone tends to amount in significant higher percentage on the laser side (P=0.053). The presented experimental study on sheep did not confirm a positive LLLT effect on bone regeneration within a cancellous sinus graft. Nevertheless, LLLT possibly has a positive effect on osseointegration of dental implants inserted after sinus augmentation.