Laser Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Peri-Implantitis: A Critical Integrative Review

Abstract

Peri-implantitis represents a growing clinical challenge associated with the increasing use of dental implants and the complexity of biofilm control on implant surfaces. Conventional therapeutic approaches often present limited and heterogeneous outcomes, encouraging investigation of adjunctive strategies such as laser therapy. This critical integrative review aimed to analyze and synthesize current scientific evidence regarding the use of laser therapy as an adjunctive approach in the prevention and treatment of peri-implantitis, discussing biological mechanisms, clinical indications, therapeutic protocols, limitations, and future perspectives to support evidence-based clinical decision-making. A structured integrative review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA 2020 recommendations. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published between January 2015 and February 2026. Clinical studies, systematic reviews, and relevant narrative reviews evaluating laser applications in peri-implant disease management were included, and data were qualitatively synthesized according to study design, laser type, clinical protocols, and reported outcomes. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests that laser therapy, when used as an adjunct to conventional treatment, may contribute to microbial reduction, modulation of inflammatory response, and short-term improvement of clinical peri-implant parameters. However, methodological heterogeneity and lack of standardized protocols limit direct comparison among studies and prevent definitive clinical recommendations. Laser therapy may represent a valuable adjunctive strategy but should not replace conventional mechanical therapy, and further well-designed randomized clinical trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are required.