By Dr Alan Kwong Hing DDS and Dr Alpdogan Kantarci DDS, PhD
Implant stability may be affected by the initial resorption of bone at the implant surface. This may dictate the timing of implant loading and if the implant will osseointegrate. Since the discovery of osseointegration, scientists and clinicians have been investigating methods to enhance osseointegration by improving implant characteristics and improving the environment around the dental implant to provide optimal conditions for bone integration.
Using the science of photobiomodulation (PBM), the PBM implant does not address the characteristics of the implant; instead, its mechanism of action is to enhance the biology of the surgical area and improve the healing of the bone and soft tissues, which will improve initial stability of the implant and the healing of the bone and surrounding tissues. The goal is to improve implant and bone grafting success rates, reduce post-operative pain and improve long term soft tissue and bone health. By improving the biology and enhancing the person’s healing process, implant treatment may be considered for those who may not have been a candidate before due to medical compromise, timing and others.
Several in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that the use of PBM may improve bone repair in surgical defects. Greater and faster bone formation was seen in irradiated defects and surgical wounds when compared with control groups. Research has shown that PBM will increase implant stability after surgery and improve bone healing. The use of PBM has also been shown to decrease pain levels in medical and dental treatment1-6.
Why should you use PBM implant?
Dentists who use PBM implants can provide their patients with increased success rates, shorter healing periods and less pain. They can treat more patients previously not a good candidate and as a result, achieve better treatment outcomes. This will allow dentists to treat more implant patients due to improved patient success and satisfaction.
The PBM implant offers the following advantages:
- Simple and easy to use
- Hands-free use allows you to work while being treated
- Portable and can be used anywhere
- One six-minute treatment per day per surgical site
- Non-invasive, as it only uses light
- Drug-free
- Enhances patient’s healing ability
- Offered in one size, therefore minimising inventory
- Can treat one sextant at a time, two sextants on the opposite side of the mouth or the entire arch in one session.
- No changes made to existing implant system or bone graft materials
- No changes to the clinic’s surgical or prosthetic protocols
Continue reading here. Published in Dental Asia May/June 2022 issue.
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