The effect of irrigation temperature on bone healing

Osteotomies, performed by rotational instruments, can cause temperature rise on the bone and elevated temperature can disrupt the bone healing. When the osteotomies are performed for the insertion of miniscrews, the bone healing disruption may cause stability loosening or failures. Saline irrigation is mostly used for the prevention of the heat generation during osteotomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the saline irrigation temperature on bone healing. Standardized drilling and miniscrew placement was performed in the tibias of 18 Sprague Dawley rats with rotating bur uncooled, cooled with 25°C and 4°C saline irrigations. After the 21 days, the difference in healing was observed between the uncooled and cooled groups. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the group irrigated with 25°C and 4°C saline for newly bone formation, osteoblasts were seen more active and bone marrow was more dynamic in group 4°C than group 25°C. There is no disadvantage to use 25°C, but it may be better to use 4°C for rapid healing.