Effects of an Er:YAG laser on mitochondrial activity of human osteosarcoma–derived osteoblasts in vitro

The aim of the present study was to investigate the collateral damage of an Er:YAG laser on bone cells in vitro using a special application tip designed for treatment of periimplantitis. Before laser irradiation, SaOs-2 osteoblasts (2×104 cells) were inoculated into 96-well tissue culture plates and incubated for 48 h under standardised conditions. A total of 120 cell cultures were irradiated with an Er:YAG laser using a cone-shaped quartz glass fibre tip at energy settings of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mJ at 10 Hz (energy densities of 5.08, 7.62, 10.16 and 12.7 J cm−2) for 10 s. Each energy setting was used at a distance of 1, 2 and 3 mm between the application tip and the bottom of the culture plate. Following irradiation, mitochondrial activity of the cells was measured using a luminescent cell viability assay. After laser irradiation, mitochondrial activity of SaOs-2 osteoblasts was significantly reduced when compared with nonirradiated cells (P<0.001), dependent on the energy setting used and the distance between the application tip and the bottom of the culture plate. Mitochondrial activity increased significantly with decreasing energy settings and increasing distances (P<0.001). Within the limits of the present study, it was concluded that an Er:YAG laser, used with a cone-shaped glass fibre tip designed for treatment of periimplantitis, has detrimental effects on mitochondrial activity of SaOs-2 osteoblasts in vitro at energy settings of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mJ (10 Hz).