An in vitro evaluation of the responses of human osteoblast-like SaOs-2 cells on SLA titanium surfaces irradiated by different powers of CO2 lasers

Bacterial biofilms have been identified as the primary etiological factor for the development and progression of peri-implantitis. Lasers have been shown to remove bacterial plaque from titanium surfaces effectively and can restore its biocompatibility without damaging these surfaces. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the responses (i.e., the cell viability and morphology) of human osteoblast-like SaOs-2 cells to sandblasted, large grit, and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surfaces irradiated by CO2 lasers at two different power outputs. A total of 24 SLA disks were randomly radiated by CO2 lasers at either 6 W (group 1, 12 disks) or 8 W (group 2, 12 disks). Non-irradiated disks were used as a control group (four disks). The cell viability rates of the SaOs-2 cells in the control and study groups (6 and 8 W) were 0.33 +/- 0.00, 0.24 +/- 0.11, and 0.2372 +/- 0.09, respectively (P < 0.6). Cells with cytoplasmic extensions and spreading morphology were most prominent in the control group (141.00 +/- 29.00), while in the study groups (6 and 8 W), the number of cells with such morphology was 60.40 +/- 26.00 and 35.20 +/- 5.40, respectively (P < 0.005). Within the limits of this study, it may be concluded that the use of CO2 lasers with the aforementioned setting parameters could not be recommended for decontamination of SLA titanium surfaces.