Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temperature gradient (ΔT) generated by laser irradiation of an implant surface using a carbon dioxide (CO2) and an Erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser. Materials and Methods: A dental implant was irradiated with a CO2 and an Er:YAG lasers, with variable power settings. Temperature increase was measured in 2 locations of the implant surface: in the cervical area (ΔTc) and in the apical area (ΔTa). Results: The CO2 laser showed the following results: after 60 seconds of irradiation with continuous mode, ΔTc was 13.9°C and ΔTa was 12.5°C. The Er:YAG laser showed the following results: after 60 seconds of irradiation with continuous mode, the temperature rise ΔTc was 50.6°C and ΔTa was 38.6°C. The CO2 laser with continuous mode generated a temperature increase of 10°C after only 36 seconds. The Er:YAG laser with continuous mode produced a more rapid temperature increase and took only 10 seconds to reach the critical threshold. Conclusions: The irradiation of implant surfaces with CO2 and Er:YAG lasers may produce a temperature increase above the critical threshold (10°C) after 10 seconds of continuous irradiation.

Read more at: http://journals.lww.com/implantdent/Fulltext/2011/10000/Temperature_Increase_During_CO2_and_Er_YAG.13.aspx