Determinants of Temperature Development during Dental Implant Surgery

Abstract

Mechanical and thermal trauma during implant surgery may be reasons for initial peri-implant bone loss. Temperature development during drilling and implant insertion were quantified in this series of in vitro and animal experiments. Polyurethane foam material mimicking different classes of alveolar bone was used as a model material for simulating implant surgery. Using thermocouples, temperature development was determined in the model material at depths of 3 mm and 10 mm during site preparation and implant insertion. Additionally, an infrared camera allowed for measuring drill temperatures both in vitro and as part of an animal trial using an intraoral minipig model. Drill diameter and repeated usage of drills did not have a major effect on temperature generation. The addition of a diamond-like carbon coating, bone density, predrilling, and irrigation heavily affected intraosseous temperatures. In vivo, applying regular drill protocols, an intraosseous temperature rise of approximately 3 °K was determined. Implant geometry as well as the amount of undersizing of an osteotomy governed heat generation during implant insertion. Drill protocols and the amount of undersizing of an implant osteotomy constitute parameters by which clinicians can limit trauma during implant surgery.