Implant site preparation-related bone microdamage: An alternative ex vivo analysis of drilling speed protocols

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate bone microdamage in sites prepared for implant placement by using an ex vivo model with three drilling rotation speeds. Methods: Bovine bone ribs were used for the creation of 18 osteotomy sites at different rotation speeds: 1200 rpm, 800 rpm, and 400 rpm. Specimens were stained with xylenol orange and prepared for histological analysis by using fluorescence and polarized light microscopies. Bone microdamage was evaluated by number and based on total bone area, as follows: microfracture density (Fr.D = n/mm2), microcrack morphology (diffuse or linear), and density (Cr.D = n/mm2), and presence of bone chips. To complement the analysis, linear microcracks were assessed by using confocal microscopy for three-dimensional visualization. Results: Bone microdamage on the osteotomy sites included microcracks, diffuse damages, microfracture, and bone chip formation. There was an association between bone microdamage and cancellous bone (p 0.0016), as well as a positive correlation between Fr.D and Cr.D (p 0.05, r 0.54). BM occurrence was not different between the three rotation speeds. In 3D, the height of the microcrack depth was 60.81 µm. Conclusion: Bone microdamage occurs during osteotomy, and the ex vivo model used was effective for the assessment of these biomechanical parameters. In addition, microdamage was not influenced by the drilling rotation speed in this experimental condition.