Thermal Implant Removal in a Pig Jaw: a Proof of Concept Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether thermal implant removal of osseointegrated implants is possible using a diode laser with an specific temperature–time interval. First, tooth extraction of the first three premolars was performed in the maxilla and mandible on both sides of 10 pig. After 3 months, implants were inserted into the upper and lower jaws of 10 pigs. After 3 more months, osseointegrated implants were heated with a laser device to a temperature of 50 °C for 1 min. After 14 days, the implant stability quotient (ISQ), torque-out values, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratio were assessed using resonance frequency analysis. ISQ values showed no significant differences within each group or between the control and test groups. Furthermore, torque-out and BIC value measurements presented no significant differences between the groups. At 50°C, changes in the BIC values were noticeably smaller; however, these differences were not significant. Future studies should evaluate the same procedures at either a higher temperature or longer intervals. With only 50 °C for 1 min, a dental implant will not de-integrate predictably.