Comparison of Temperature Changes during Implant Osteotomy: Conventional, Single, and Osseodensification Drilling

<b>Purpose:</b> This study compared temperature changes during implant osteotomies using osseodensification drilling (OD), conventional drilling, (CD) and single drilling (SD) protocols on artificial bone blocks of varying densities. <b>Methods:</b> In this <i>in vitro</i> study, 240 osteotomies were performed (80 each for CD, SD, and OD protocols) across four bone densities (D1, D2, D3, and D4) and two drilling speeds (800 rpm and 1600 rpm). A drill length of 12 mm and diameter of 3.3 mm were used under irrigated conditions. Temperature changes were measured using an infrared thermal camera, noting the initial temperature (T₀), the maximum temperature reached (T₁), and the temperature change (ΔT) before and after each osteotomy, with comparisons drawn among the three protocols. <b>Results:</b> Significant differences in ΔT were observed between the CD and SD protocols across all bone densities and speeds. The CD protocol showed lower ΔT levels at 1600 rpm compared to 800 rpm, whereas the SD protocol showed significantly higher mean ΔT levels at 1600 rpm. For the OD protocol, there was no significant difference in ΔT between the two speeds for D1-D3 densities; however, a significant increase in ΔT was recorded at 1600 rpm for D4. Moreover, the CD protocol consistently yielded the lowest temperature increases in denser bones (D1-D2) at both speeds, while the OD protocol had lower ΔT in less dense bones (D4). <b>Conclusions:</b> The CD protocol consistently achieved lower temperature changes, particularly in denser bones, compared to the SD and OD protocols. The OD protocol, meanwhile, was more effective at reducing temperature increases in less-dense bones.