Assessment of heat generation during implant insertion

Statement of problem Many studies have investigated the heat generated during implant preparation, but data are needed to better predict heat generation during implant insertion. Purpose The purpose of this study was to measure the heat generated during insertion of an implant at speeds of 30, 50, and 100 rpm, and with manual insertion. Material and methods Sixty-four uniform fresh bovine femoral cortical bone specimens were used. After the cortical bone was drilled, 3 different implant insertion speeds and the manual insertion of the implant were evaluated for 2 different implant diameters. The temperature was measured with 2 Teflon-insulated, type K thermocouples. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA, and the Tukey honestly significant difference test (α=.05). Results The highest thermal change for 4.1-mm-diameter implants was found at a speed of 100 rpm (9.81°C ±2.29°C), and the lowest thermal change was 3.69°C ±0.85°C at a speed of 30 rpm. A statistically significant difference was found between 100 rpm and the other 3 insertion procedures. The highest thermal change for a 4.8-mm-diameter implant was found at a speed of 100 rpm (8.79°C ±1.53°C), and the lowest thermal change was 4.48°C ±0.85°C at a speed of 30 rpm. No statistical difference was observed with manual, 30 rpm, and 50 rpm; however, a statistically significant difference was found between 100 rpm and the other 3 insertion procedures. Conclusions Manual implant insertion and at speeds of 30 rpm and 50 rpm generated lower heat compared with insertion at 100 rpm.