Comparative Analysis of Cutting Efficiency and Surface Maintenance Between Different Types of Implant Drills: An In Vitro Study

This study evaluated cutting efficiency (CE) and linear wear of dental implant drills after 450 standardized osteotomies on bovine ribs. Diamond-like carbon-coated steel drills (SG), acid-treated steel drills (EG), and ceramic drills (ZG) were divided into 6 subgroups according to the number of uses. A robot-controlled program performed systematic instrumentation, timing, axial loading, and managed feed rate. CE was recorded in a polyurethane resin blank and end wear (VBBmax) was analyzed under stereo microscopy. After osteotomies in beef ribs, CE for the Ø2.0-mm drill decreased 10.2% in SG and 10.9% in ZG; for the Ø3.0-mm drill, CE decreased 30.6% in SG, 8.5% in ZG, and improved in EG. The greatest wear occurred in Ø2.0-mm drills; ZG drills (Ø3.0 mm) exhibited only edge frittering, as confirmed on scanning electron microscopy. After 50 exposures to mechanical loads, steel and ceramic drills lost CE. Whereas cutting and thermal performance improved in experimental drills, the Ø2.0-mm drill exhibited the most signs of wear proportional to use. These findings suggest that, with the methodology employed, the life of these drills exceeds 50 osteotomies.