RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the conventional trephine bur and the Erbium,chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser in removing implants in terms of the volume of removed bone, duration of the procedure, and morphological changes on the bone surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three human mandibles were utilized, and four implants were inserted in each mandible using a drilling handpiece and burs. The implants were divided into two groups (n = 6) in which two implants from each mandible were removed using a trephine bur running at 1200 rounds per minute (rpm) with water irrigation. The remaining implants (n = 6) were removed with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (power 6 W, frequency 20 Hz, pulse duration 50 µs, water 60, air 30). The volume of bone loss was calculated by filling the holes with mercury and measuring its volume. The preparation time was measured with a digital stopwatch and the postoperative bone surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The laser group exhibited a smaller amount of bone loss than the trephine bur group, whereas the latter required a shorter time of preparation. SEM revealed empty trabecular spaces with no signs of carbonization and well-defined edges in the laser group, whereas the trephine group displayed a surface covered with a smear layer and microcracks. CONCLUSIONS: The Er,Cr:YSGG laser provides superior results over the trephine bur in terms of bone preservation, thermal damage, and cutting efficiency.