Low-Speed Drilling Without Irrigation Protocol for Implant Bed Preparation

A new study published in the Clinical Oral Implants Research suggests that low-speed drilling without irrigation is more patient-friendly.

Study Overview

A study was conducted to compare patient satisfaction during surgery, postoperative pain and inflammation, and quality of life between high-speed drilling with irrigation and low-speed drilling without irrigation for implant bed preparation.

Methodology

Sixty-six posterior single edentulous patients were included in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Implant beds were created using:

• High-speed drilling with irrigation (control group)
• Low-speed drilling without irrigation (test group)

Patient satisfaction during surgery (in relation to drilling-time perception, vibration, pressure, noise, comfort, and drowning sensation) and postoperative pain and inflammation were evaluated using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS)-based questionnaire. Quality of life was analyzed with a Likert scale (in relation to mouth opening, chewing, speaking, sleeping, daily routine, and job). The follow-up period was 7 days.

Results

Patient satisfaction in relation to drilling-time perception, vibration, pressure, and noise did not show statistically significant differences (p > .05). The highest scores of drowning sensation (p < .05) were correlated (moderate correlation (r = .57)) with the lowest scores of comfort (p < .005). Both postoperative pain and inflammation means were significantly higher in the control group than in the test group. No significant differences in quality of life were observed during the postoperative period (p > .05).

Conclusion

Low-speed drilling without irrigation for single implant site preparation was more comfortable for patients than high-speed drilling with irrigation, due to the correlation between important drowning sensation and low perceived comfort. Postoperative pain and inflammation were lower for low-speed drilling without irrigation. Further studies are needed to validate or refute these results.

Reference

Bernabeu-Mira, J. C., Peñarrocha-Diago, M., Peñarrocha-Diago, M., Romero-Gavilán, F., Camacho-Alonso, F., & Peñarrocha-Oltra, D. (2023). Comparison of patient-centered outcomes measures between low-speed drilling without irrigation and high-speed drilling with irrigation: A randomized clinical trial. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 00, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14189

Keywords

• Low-speed
• Drilling
• Without
• Irrigation
• Protocol
• Implant
• Bed
• Preparation
• More
• Patient friendly
• Bernabeu-Mira, J. C.
• Peñarrocha-Diago, M.
• Peñarrocha-Diago, M.
• Romero-Gavilán, F.
• Camacho-Alonso, F.
• Peñarrocha-Oltra, D.
• Clinical Oral Implants Research