Laser-Assisted Regenerative Surgical Therapy for Peri-implantitis

The purpose of the study is to evaluate if using Er:YAG laser could have adjunctive benefits to the conventional standard mechanical debridement to ablate the infected tissue around the dental implant and detoxify the contaminated implant surface for resolving peri-implant infection and enhance bone regeneration of peri-implant defects.

This study involves one center and a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial is planned. Twenty-four adult patients in the need of surgical treatment due to peri-implantitis will be included. Six visits are needed for each patient including a 24 week follow-up visit.

Specific Aim 1: To compare the clinical benefit of Er:YAG laser-assisted peri-implant defect debridement and surface detoxification with conventional mechanical debridement for regenerative therapy

Specific Aim 2: To evaluate whether Er:YAG laser-assisted regenerative surgical therapy can decrease bacterial load and alter microbial profile

Specific Aim 3: To analyze whether Er:YAG laser-assisted regenerative surgical therapy can impact the molecular profile of the peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) and the stability of the treatment

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects, aged 18 - 85 years
• Physical status according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II, which includes patients who are systemically healthy or suffer under mild to moderate, but well controlled systemic diseases.
• Subjects having a minimum of 1 dental implant with peri-implantitis.
• Dental implants with peri-implantitis ≥ 2 threads exposed (infrabony defect) identified on the radiograph and pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥ 5mm, with bleeding on probing (BOP) and/or suppuration (pus)
• The implants are in function for at least 6 months
• Only rough surface implant will be included in this study

Exclusion criteria

• Long-term use of antibiotics > 2 weeks in the past two months
• Obvious malpositioning of the dental implants
• Subjects taking medications known to modify bone metabolism (such as bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, Hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women, parathyroid hormone, Denosumab, strontium ranelate)
• Pregnant females or those planning to become pregnant
• Subjects with a history of major diseases, oral cancer, sepsis or those having adverse outcomes to oral procedures in the past, will be excluded
• Mobility of dental implants
• History of alcoholism or drug abuse
• Current smokers
• Diseases of the immune system or any medical condition that may influence the outcome (uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c >8)
• Uncontrolled systemic disease or condition known to alter bone metabolism, like Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease

Premature Exclusion Criteria:

• The researcher believes that it is not the best interest of the subject to stay in the study
• If the subject becomes ineligible to participate based on the exclusion criteria
• If the subject's medical condition requires interventions which preclude involvement in the study (radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc)
• If the subject does not follow study related instructions
• The study is suspended or canceled.