Bactericidal Effect of CO2 Laser on Bacteria Associated With Dental Implant Infection: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

One of the most popular causes for implant infection is dental plaque bacteria. Previous studies have shown the bactericidal effect of CO2 laser irradiation on bacteria associated with soft tissue surrounding the implant materials. No published studies have examined the effect of irradiation by CO2 laser on Streptococcus oralis and Staphylococcus aureus.The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of CO2 laser on bacteria that are causing dental implant infections. This study was carried out on two isolates of bacterial species out of 25 samples, isolated from patients having soft tissue infections around the dental implant. These two pure isolates including Streptococcus oralis and Staphylococcus aureus were identified by microscopic examination, culture characteristics ,biochemical tests and API system. Bacterial suspension (10-6 CFU/ml) was irradiated with 10600 nm CO2 laser,CW mode emission using different power densities 500 -3000W/cm2 (500 W/cm2 increment)with different exposure times 10-60s (10 sec.increment for isolate of Streptococcus oralis) and 5-30s (5 sec. increment for isolate of Staphylococcus aureus).After the irradiation, 100μl of bacterial suspension was spread over agar plates and incubated at 37 ºC for 24-48 hrs. under aerobic and anaerobic conditions according to the nature growth of bacteria. Colony forming units (CFUs) were counted and compared with control group then the bactericidal effect of CO2 laser was assessed in relation to the colony forming units of control group.In this study the maximum bactericidal effect of CO2 laser on S.oralis was 100% at 2500W/cm2 with exposure times 50 and 60s, whereas the CO2 laser eliminated 100% of S.aureus at 3000W/cm2 at 25 and 30 s exposure time.The results indicate that irradiation by CO2 laser CW mode emission may be useful in reducing bacterial colony forming units at low (such as 1000 W/cm2) and high power density. Also the results of this study reveal that complete or nearly complete reduction in the bacterial counts may be achieved.