Article Sidebar

Submitted
April 12, 2026
Accepted
May 13, 2026
Published
June 25, 2026
Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 1

Main Article Content

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and zinc supplementation on the osseointegration of dental implants. Eighteen patients aged 25–45 years were enrolled and randomly allocated into three equal groups: a control group receiving no adjunctive treatment, a laser group treated with LLLT at the implant site, and a zinc group receiving oral zinc supplementation for two months to meet the recommended daily allowance. Peri-implant bone density changes were assessed using digital orthopantomograms obtained immediately after implant placement (baseline), and at 1.5 and 6 months postoperatively. All groups demonstrated a statistically significant progressive increase in bone density along the bone–implant interface during the follow-up period. However, differences were observed in the rate and pattern of bone density changes. The LLLT group exhibited an earlier onset and a more pronounced increase in bone density compared with both the zinc and control groups. In contrast, the zinc and control groups showed slower and more gradual improvements, with no statistically significant difference detected between them. These findings suggest that LLLT significantly enhances peri-implant bone healing and accelerates the osseointegration process around immediately loaded titanium implants. The observed improvement in bone density highlights the biostimulatory effect of laser irradiation and supports its potential use as an effective adjunctive modality in implant dentistry. 

Keywords

Dental Implant Low Level Laser Therapy Osseointegration Zinc Supplements

Article Details

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Hassan Hussien Mohamed Elbadri, Tarek Ali Mohamed Hassan, Noha Mohamed El Adl (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Hassan Hussien Mohamed Elbadri, Tarek Ali Mohamed Hassan and Noha Mohamed El Adl (2026) “Comparative Study of the Effect of Zinc Supplements Versus Low Level Laser Therapy on Osseointegration of Dental Implant”, Future Dental Research, 4(1), pp. 36–48. doi:10.57238/fdr.2026.152576.1005.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

How to Cite

Hassan Hussien Mohamed Elbadri, Tarek Ali Mohamed Hassan and Noha Mohamed El Adl (2026) “Comparative Study of the Effect of Zinc Supplements Versus Low Level Laser Therapy on Osseointegration of Dental Implant”, Future Dental Research, 4(1), pp. 36–48. doi:10.57238/fdr.2026.152576.1005.

References

  1. Fugazzotto PA. Success and failure rates of osseointegrated implants in function in regenerated bone for 72 to 133 months. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2005;20(1):77.
  2. Akeredolu PA, Adeyemo WL, Omololu OB, Karunwi O. Implant restoration of partially edentulous ridges: a review of 121 Nigerian patients. Implant Dent. 2010;19(1):65-72. doi: 10.1097/ID.0b013e3181b4fc1a.
  3. Misch CE. Rationale for dental implants. Dental implant prosthetics: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014. p. 1-17.
  4. Esposito M, Hirsch J, Lekholm U, Thomsen P. Biological factors contributing. Eur J Oral Sci. 1998;106(1):527-51.
  5. Petri AD, Teixeira LN, Crippa GE, Beloti MM, Oliveira PTd, Rosa AL. Effects of low-level laser therapy on human osteoblastic cells grown on titanium. Braz Dent J. 2010;21(6):491-8. doi: 10.1590/S0103-64402010000600003.
  6. Saracino S, Mozzati M, Martinasso G, Pol R, Canuto RA, Muzio G. Superpulsed laser irradiation increases osteoblast activity via modulation of bone morphogenetic factors. Laser Surg Med. 2009;41(4):298-304. doi: 10.1002/lsm.20762.
  7. AboElsaad NS, Soory M, Gadalla LMA, Ragab LI, Dunne S, Zalata KR, et al. Effect of soft laser and bioactive glass on bone regeneration in the treatment of infra-bony defects (a clinical study). Laser Med Sci. 2009;24:387-95. doi: 10.1007/s10103-008-0576-9.
  8. Guzzardella GA, Torricelli P, Nicoli-Aldini N, Giardino R. Osseointegration of endosseous ceramic implants after postoperative low-power laser stimulation: an in vivo comparative study. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2003;14(2):226-32. doi: 10.1034/j.600-0501.2003.00872.x.
  9. Dörtbudak O, Haas R, Mailath-Pokorny G. Effect of low-power laser irradiation on bony implant sites. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2002;13(3):288-92. doi: 10.1034/j.600-0501.2002.130308.x.
  10. Kellesarian SV, Yunker M, Ramakrishnaiah R, Malmstrom H, Kellesarian TV, Ros Malignaggi V, et al. Does incorporating zinc in titanium implant surfaces influence osseointegration? A systematic review. J Prosthet Dent. 2017;117(1):41-7. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2016.06.00.
  11. Tripathi G, Raja N, Yun HS. Effect of direct loading of phytoestrogens into the calcium phosphate scaffold on osteoporotic bone tissue regeneration. J Mater Chem B. 2015;3(44):8694-703. doi: 10.1039/C5TB01574J.
  12. Fang J, Zhao J, Sun Y, Ma H, Yu X, Ma Y, et al. Biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of zinc-ion implantation on titanium. J Hard Tissue Biol. 2014;23(1):35-44. doi: 10.2485/jhtb.23.35.
  13. Wen Z, Shi X, Li X, Liu W, Liu Y, Zhang R, et al. Mesoporous TiO2 coatings regulate ZnO nanoparticle loading and Zn2+ release on titanium dental implants for sustained osteogenic and antibacterial activity. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023;15(12):15235-49. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c00812.
  14. Khadra M, Rønold HJ, Lyngstadaas SP, Ellingsen JE, Haanæs HR. Low‐level laser therapy stimulates bone–implant interaction: an experimental study in rabbits. Clin Oral implants Res. 2004;15(3):325-32. doi: 10.1111/j.600-0501.2004.00994.x.
  15. Silva Júnior AN, Pinheiro AL, Oliveira MG, Weismann R, Pedreira Ramalho LM, Amadei Nicolau R. Computerized morphometric assessment of the effect of low-level laser therapy on bone repair: an experimental animal study. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2002;20(2):83-7. doi: 10.1089/104454702753768061.
  16. Ueda Y, Shimizu N. Pulse irradiation of low-power laser stimulates bone nodule formation. J Oral Sci. 2001;43(1):55-60. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.43.55.
  17. Matys J, Świder K, Grzech-Leśniak K, Dominiak M, Romeo U. Photobiomodulation by a 635nm Diode Laser on Peri‐Implant Bone: Primary and Secondary Stability and Bone Density Analysis—A Randomized Clinical Trial. BioMed Res Int. 2019;2019:2785302. doi: 10.1155/2019/.
  18. Hirschmann PN. The current status of panoramic radiography. Int Dent J. 1987;37(1):31-7.
  19. Barone A, Covani U, Cornelini R, Gherlone E. Radiographic bone density around immediately loaded oral implants: A case series. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2003;14(5):610-5. doi: 10.1034/j.600-0501.2003.00878.x.
  20. Ratner BD. Replacing and Renewing: Synthetic Materials, Biomimetics, and Tissue Engineering in Implant Dentistry. J Dent Educ. 2001;65(12):1340-7. doi: 10.002/j.0022-337.2001.65.12.tb03493.x.
  21. Branemark R, Branemark P, Rydevik B, Myers RR. Osseointegration in skeletal reconstruction and rehabilitation: a review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2001;38(2):175-82.
  22. Strietzel FP, Reichart PA, Kale A, Kulkarni M, Wegner B, Küchler I. Smoking interferes with the prognosis of dental implant treatment: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Clin Periodontol. 2007;34(6):523-44. doi: 10.1111/j.600-051X.2007.01083.x.
  23. Johannsen A, Wikesjö U, Tellefsen G, Johannsen G. Patient attitudes and expectations of dental implant treatment--a questionnaire study. Swed Dent J. 2012;36(1):7-14.
  24. Roccuzzo M, De Angelis N, Bonino L, Aglietta M. Ten‐year results of a three‐arm prospective cohort study on implants in periodontally compromised patients. Part 1: implant loss and radiographic bone loss. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2010;21(5):490-6. doi: 10.1111/j.600-0501.2009.01886.x.
  25. Alsaadi G, Quirynen M, Komárek A, Van Steenberghe D. Impact of local and systemic factors on the incidence of oral implant failures, up to abutment connection. J Clin Periodontol. 2007;34(7):610-7. doi: 10.1111/j.600-051X.2007.01077.x.
  26. Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang Y-Y, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012;40:516-33. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7.
  27. Degidi M, Iezzi G, Perrotti V, Piattelli A. Comparative Analysis of Immediate Functional Loading and Immediate Nonfunctional Loading to Traditional Healing Periods: A 5-Year Follow-Up of 550 Dental Implants. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2009;11(4):257-66. doi: 10.1111/j.708-8208.2008.00117.x.
  28. Sánchez‐Garcés MA, Costa‐Berenguer X, Gay‐Escoda C. Short implants: a descriptive study of 273 implants. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2012;14(4):508-16. doi: 10.1111/j.708-8208.2010.00301.x.
  29. Glauser R, Ree A, Lundgren A, Gottlow J, Hammerle CHR, Scharer P. Immediate Occlusal Loading of Brånemark Implants Applied in Various Jawbone Regions: A Prospective, 1-Year Clinical Study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2001;3(4):204-13. doi: 10.1111/j.708-8208.2001.tb00142.x.
  30. Schrott A, Riggi-Heiniger M, Maruo K, Gallucci GO. Implant Loading Protocols for Partially Edentulous Patients with Extended Edentulous Sites-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2014;29:239-55. doi: 10.11607/jomi.2014suppl.g4.2.
  31. Branemark P-I. Osseointegration and its experimental background. J Prosthet Dent. 1983;50(3):399-410. doi: 10.1016/S0022-3913(83)80101-2.
  32. Fulgoni III VL, Keast DR, Bailey RL, Dwyer J. Foods, fortificants, and supplements: where do Americans get their nutrients? J Nutr. 2011;141(10):1847-54. doi: 10.3945/jn.111.142257.
  33. Palacios C. The role of nutrients in bone health, from A to Z. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(8):621-8. doi: 10.1080/10408390500466174.
  34. Conner KA, Sabatini R, Mealey BL, Takacs VJ, Mills MP, Cochrann DL. Guided bone regeneration around titanium plasma‐sprayed, acid‐etched, and hydroxyapatite‐coated implants in the canine model. J Periodontol. 2003;74(5):658-68. doi: 10.1902/jop.2003.74.5.658.
  35. Zofková I, Nemcikova P, Matucha P. Trace elements and bone health. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2013;51(8):1555-61. doi: 10.15/cclm-2012-0868.
  36. Albrektsson T, Wennerberg A. Oral implant surfaces: Part 1--review focusing on topographic and chemical properties of different surfaces and in vivo responses to them. Int J Prosthodont. 2004;17(5):536.
  37. Schnitman PA, Wöhrle PS, Rubenstein JE, DaSilva JD. Ten-year results for Brånemark implants immediately loaded with fixed prostheses at implant placement. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 1997;12(4):1.
  38. Lirani-Galvão AP, Jorgetti V, Da Silva OL. Comparative study of how low-level laser therapy and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound affect bone repair in rats. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2006;24(6):735-40. doi: 10.1089/pho.2006.24.735.
  39. Dijkman BG, Sprague S, Bhandari M. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound: Nonunions. Indian J Orthop. 2009;43(2):141-8. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.50848.
  40. Karunakar P, Prasanna JS, Jayadev M, Shravani GS. Platelet-rich fibrin, “a faster healing aid” in the treatment of combined lesions: A report of two cases. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2014;18(5):651-5. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.142467.
  41. Tim CR, Pinto KNZ, Rossi BRO, Fernandes K, Matsumoto MA, Parizotto NA, et al. Low-level laser therapy enhances the expression of osteogenic factors during bone repair in rats. Lasers Med Sci. 2014;29:147-56. doi: 10.1007/s10103-013-1302-9.
  42. Forney R, Mauro T. Using lasers in diabetic wound healing. Diabetes Technol Ther. 1999;1(2):189-92. doi: 10.1089/152091599317404.
  43. Van Damme HLR. The diabetic foot. Liège Med Rev. 2005;60:516-25.
  44. Kreisler M, Christoffers AB, Al‐Haj H, Willershausen B, d'Hoedt B. Low level 809‐nm diode laser‐induced in vitro stimulation of the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts. Lasers Surg Med. 2002;30(5):365-9. doi: 10.1002/lsm.10060.
  45. Ozawa Y, Shimizu N, Kariya G, Abiko Y. Low-energy laser irradiation stimulates bone nodule formation at early stages of cell culture in rat calvarial cells. Bone. 1998;22(4):347-54. doi: 10.1016/S8756-3282(97)00294-9.
  46. Calin MA, Coman T, Calin MR. The effect of low-level laser therapy on surgical wound healing. Rom Rep Phys. 2010;62(3):617-27.
  47. Oliveira Sierra S, Melo Deana A, Agnelli Mesquita Ferrari R, Maia Albarello P, Kalil Bussadori S, Porta Santos Fernandes K. Effect of low-level laser therapy on the post-surgical inflammatory process after third molar removal: study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2013;14(1):373. doi: 10.1186/745-6215-14-373.
  48. Barbosa D, de Souza RA, Xavier M, da Silva FF, Arisawa EÂL, Villaverde AGJB. Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone repair in rats: optical densitometry analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28(2):651-6. doi: 10.1007/s10103-012-1125-0.
  49. Ueda Y, Shimizu N. Effects of pulse frequency of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone nodule formation in rat calvarial cells. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2003;21(5):271-7. doi: 10.1089/104454703322564479.
  50. de Almeida AL, Medeiros IL, Cunha MJ, Sbrana MC, de Oliveira PG, Esper LA. The effect of low‐level laser on bone healing in critical size defects treated with or without autogenous bone graft: an experimental study in rat calvaria. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2014;25(10):1131-6. doi: 10.11/clr.12239.
  51. Corazza AV, Jorge J, Kurachi C, Bagnato VS. Photobiomodulation on the Angiogenesis of Skin Wounds in Rats Using Different Light Sources. Photomed Laser Surg. 2007;25(2):102-6. doi: 10.1089/pho.2006.11.
  52. Tuby H, Maltz L, Oron U. Implantation of Low-Level Laser Irradiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells into the Infarcted Rat Heart Is Associated with Reduction in Infarct Size and Enhanced Angiogenesis. Photomed Laser Surg. 2009;27(2):227-33. doi: 10.1089/pho.2008.272.
  53. Blay A, Blay CC, Groth EB, Zezell DM, Sendyk WR, Tunchel S. Effects of visible and NIR low intensity lasers on implant osseointegration in vivo. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine: John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York, NY, USA; 2022.
  54. Pinheiro ALB, Limeira Júnior FdA, Gerbi MEM, Ramalho LMP, Marzola C, Ponzi EAC. Effect of low-level laser therapy on the repair of bone defects grafted with inorganic bovine bone. Braz Dent J. 2003;14(3):177-81. doi: 10.1590/S0103-64402003000300007.
  55. Nicola RA, Jorgetti V, Rigau J, Pacheco MTT, dos Reis LM, Zângaro RA. Effect of low-power GaAlAs laser (660 nm) on bone structure and cell activity: an experimental animal study. Lasers Med Sci. 2003;18:89-94. doi: 10.1007/s10103-003-0260-z.
  56. Merli LADS, Santos MTBRD, Genovese WJ, Faloppa F. Effect of low-intensity laser irradiation on the process of bone repair. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005;23(2):212-5. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.212.
  57. Diniz JS, Nicolau RA, de Melo Ocarino N, do Carmo Magalhães F, de Oliveira Pereira RD, Serakides R. Effect of low-power gallium-aluminum-arsenium laser therapy (830 nm) in combination with bisphosphonate treatment on osteopenic bone structure: an experimental animal study. Lasers Med Sci. 2009;24:347-52. doi: 10.1007/s10103-008-0568-9.
  58. Renno AM, McDonnell P, Parizotto N, Laakso E-L. The effects of laser irradiation on osteoblast and osteosarcoma cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Photomed Laser Surg. 2007;25(4):275-80. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.55.
  59. Ninomiya T, Hosoya A, Nakamura H, Sano K, Nishisaka T, Ozawa H. Increase of bone volume by a nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation is caused by a decreased osteoclast number and an activated osteoblast. Bone. 2007;40(1):140-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2006.07.026.
  60. Pinheiro ALB, Gerbi MEM. Photoengineering of bone repair processes. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006;24(2):169-78. doi: 10.1089/pho.2006.24.169.
  61. Anwer AG, Gosnell ME, Perinchery SM, Inglis DW, Goldys EM. Visible 532 nm laser irradiation of human adipose tissue‐derived stem cells: effect on proliferation rates, mitochondria membrane potential and autofluorescence. Lasers Surg Med. 2012;44(9):769-78. doi: 10.1002/lsm.22083.
  62. Garavello-Freitas I, Baranauskas V, Joazeiro PP, Padovani CR, Dal Pai-Silva M, da Cruz-Höfling MA. Low-power laser irradiation improves histomorphometrical parameters and bone matrix organization during tibia wound healing in rats. J Photochem Photobiol Biol. 2003;70(2):81-9. doi: 10.1016/S1-344(03)00058-7.
  63. Nandal S, Ghalaut P, Shekhawat H. A radiological evaluation of marginal bone around dental implants: An: in-vivo: study. NatI J Maxillofac Surg. 2014;5(2):126-37. doi: 10.4103/0975-5950.154813.
  64. Mustafa A, Lung CY, Mustafa NS, Mustafa BA, Kashmoola MA, Zwahlen RA, et al. EPA‐coated titanium implants promote osteoconduction in white New Zealand rabbits. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2016;27(3):303-9. doi: 10.1111/clr.12525.
  65. Lee J-Y, Jeong S-Y, Shin S-H, Kim G-C, Kim Y-D, Chung I-K, et al. Effect of calcium and vitamin d supplementation on bone formation around titanium implant in osteoporosis-induced rats. J Kor Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008;34:276-84.
  66. Ozawa Y, Shimizu N, Mishima H, Kariya G, Yamaguchi M, Takiguchi H, et al., editors. Stimulatory effects of low-power laser irradiation on bone formation in vitro. Advanced Laser Dentistry; 1995: SPIE.
  67. Shimizu N, Mayahara K, Kiyosaki T, Yamaguchi A, Ozawa Y, Abiko Y. Low‐intensity laser irradiation stimulates bone nodule formation via insulin‐like growth factor‐I expression in rat calvarial cells. Lasers Surg Med. 2007;39(6):551-9. doi: 10.1002/lsm.20521.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.