Fig. 1

a. Prior to preparation of the experimental model—which mimics an in-situ crestal bony defect—implant cavity was prepared according to the manufacturers guidelines and implant was placed following establishment of the experimental defect. b Decontamination of the models in bacterial solution c Cold plasma application for 3 min using kINPen® MED (neoplas tools GmbH, Greifswald, Germany) with an output of 5 W. The spacer ensured that the correct distance has been maintained. d Application of 35% phosphoric acid (iBond etch 35 gel, Heraeus GmbH, Hanau, Germany) to the contaminated implant surfaces. After a contact time of 45 s, the acid was rinsed off with 5 ml of sterile NaCl solution so that no residues remained. e The contaminated implant surfaces were treated with photosensitizer toluidine blue (FotoSan®Agent MEDIUM, LOSER & CO GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany) and afterwards with FotoSan 630 LED light pen (LOSER & CO GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany) for 10 s on mesial, distal, lingual, vestibular surfaces with a wavelength of 630 nm using short perio-tips (LOSER & CO GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany)