Evaluation of an Internal Irrigation Surgical Guide to Reduce Heat Generation During Dental Implant Surgery
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Summary
Heat generated during osteotomy and implant placement may cause thermal injury to bone and adversely affect healing and osseointegration. External irrigation is commonly used to reduce heat generation; however, cooling may be less effective at the drill-bone interface, particularly during guided implant surgery. Surgical guides with integrated irrigation channels have been developed to deliver coolant more directly to the osteotomy site, but clinical evidence regarding their effectiveness remains limited. This study will evaluate whether an internal irrigation surgical guide system reduces heat generation during osteotomy compared with a conventional guided implant surgery approach. The study will also assess clinical outcomes associated with implant placement. The findings may help inform safer and more effective protocols for guided dental implant surgery.
Description
Heat generation during osteotomy and implant placement is a critical concern in implant dentistry, as excessive temperatures can lead to bone necrosis, impaired healing, and early implant failure. A temperature increase of 10°C can be considered a threshold for potential issues. Bone cell damage can occur if the temperature reaches 47°C.3 A temperature of 47°C for 1 minute can impair implant osseointegration. The current standard of care involves the use of external irrigation to reduce heat generation during the drilling process. However, this method has limitations including poor visibility…