Thermal Changes During Digital Guided Implant Surgery Using the Conventional and Single Drill Protocols.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare heat generation during osteotomy for dental implant placement using conventional (sequential drilling) and single drill protocol in digitally guided surgery and to clarify differences in thermal exposure time.

Materials and methods: In this study, we used a bovine rib ex vivo model with a surgical splint and a type K thermocouple to measure temperature and time. The conventional protocol (n=20) involved sequential drilling using 6 drills of increasing diameter, while the simplified protocol used a single drill (n=20). On the other hand, four implant beds were prepared in the tibia of a New Zealand rabbit to compare the mean temperature values between the in vivo and ex vivo models.

Results: Student's t-test revealed no significant differences (p=0.1688) in temperature elevation between the conventional drilling (mean, 1.977°C; sd 1.165) and single drilling (mean, 2.634°C; sd 1.734) protocols. However, significant differences between the groups were found in the exposure time: 107.105 seconds (sd 29.196) and 16.842 (sd 8.101) respectively. The mean temperature increase due to drilling was 0.365°C (sd 0.204) and 0.378°C (sd 0.381) in the rabbit tibia and bovine rib, respectively, with no significant differences (p-value = 0.926) between the in vivo and ex vivo models.

Conclusions: Conventional and single drill guided surgery protocols for implant bed preparation generate similar temperatures in vitro. Exposure time is longer with conventional protocols than with single drill protocols.