Effects of Osteotomy Lengths on the Temperature Rise of the Crestal Bone During Implant Site Preparation.

AIM: To compare temperatures of the crestal bone during implant site preparation for different osteotomy lengths and implant systems.

METHODS: Bovine ribs were used to simulate the cortical bone of the human mandible. Three different implant systems were tested: Astra Tech, Ankylos, and XiVE. Six drills per system were performed, meaning each drilling set was used for 2 drills per 3 osteotomy lengths (8, 12, and 16 mm). Drilling force, drilling speed, drilling length, and temperature were recorded.

RESULTS: Differences in the maximum temperature of the crestal bone during the first drilling for various osteotomy lengths (P = 0.021) and all implant systems (P = 0.013) were observed. A similar result was showed during the second drilling; osteotomy lengths (P = 0.014) and drilling systems (P = 0.003). Second drillings showed lower temperatures of the crestal bone with statistical differences on all measurements (P < 0.001). Astra Tech and Ankylos implant systems showed similar performance; XiVE had lower temperature and higher temperature differences between osteotomy lengths.

CONCLUSIONS: Different drilling lengths contributed to the variation in temperature regardless of the implant system. Longer drills and osteotomies induced higher temperatures on the crestal bone. The maximum temperature difference between the shortest and the longest osteotomy was under 1°C. Temperature above 47°C that could cause bone necrosis was not recorded at any time. The XiVE system showed the best performance.