An In-vitro study on thermal changes during implant drilling with different irrigation volumes.

Objective: Irrigation with saline is one of the essential methods for reducing the heat generated during dental implant osteotomy. High irrigation volume impairs visibility of the surgical field, thus complicates the surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal irrigation volume for heat reduction during dental implant drilling.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-two implant osteotomies were prepared on four fresh cow ribs. Heat generated during the final implant drilling was measured both with infrared thermography and thermocouple method. Initial and maximum temperatures were measured at four different irrigation volumes; 32, 44, 56, and 68 ml/min.

Results: Both measurement methods showed that the amount of temperature rise is associated with the irrigation volume during implant drilling. There is no further decrease in temperature rise above irrigation volume of 56 ml/min.

Conclusion: Saline irrigation with 56 ml/min provides sufficient heat reduction during dental implant drilling and higher irrigation volumes are not necessary.