“Effect of low friction chromium surface coating of drills on heat generation during simulated implant osteotomy preparation: an in vitro study”

Abstract

Brief Background To evaluate the effect of low friction chromium surface coating of drills on heat generation during implant osteotomy preparation in standardized simulated bone blocks. Materials and Methods 32 Artificial polyurethane bone blocks were used as the study models. 32 twisted stainless-steel design drills of three different sizes 2.0mm, 2.4mm and 2.8mm x 18mm were used. Drills were divided into two groups as control (Group 1) and low friction chromium coated (Group 2) drills. Surface coatings of drills were made for Group 2 drills with Low friction chromium. Standardized drilling protocol was used to avoid influence of other drilling factors on heat generation. Osteotomies were performed and temperatures were recorded during drilling procedure using thermocouples at different depths of 4mm, 8mm and 12mm. Method In this study, it was observed that the temperature changes in the thermocouples reading were significant (p<0.001) when compared with control and test group drills, proving that LFC coated drills reduced the heat generated during implant osteotomy preparation due to reduction in frictional contact between the drills and bone. Also, the temperature changes recorded at different depths of drill site showed an increase in temperature with increase in depth of drill site but the values were not statistically significant (p>0.5) to prove the result. Summary and Conclusions Drill depth did not have a significant (p>0.5) effect on heat generation during implant osteotomy preparation. Low friction chromium surface coating can reduce heat generated during implant osteotomy preparation by reducing the frictional contact between the bone and the drill surface. Key Words: dental implants; low friction; heat; polyurethane