Ricerc@Sapienza

Piezoelectric devices are widely used in oral surgical procedures, including implant site
preparation. However, little is known about the influence of working movement on temperature
elevation in bone. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of two different working cycles on
temperature elevation during piezoelectric implant site preparation. Sixty osteotomies at a depth of
10 mm were performed on bone blocks of bovine ribs using a piezoelectric tip with external irrigation
(IM1s, Mectron Medical Technology, Carasco, Italy). A mechanical positioning device was used to
guarantee reproducible working and measuring conditions. Two different working cycles, of 4 and
6 s, respectively, were tested, including both longitudinal and rotational movements. Temperature
was recorded in real time with a fiber optic thermometer and applied pressure was maintained under
150 g. For each test, the highest recorded temperature (Tmax) and the mean temperature recorded from
30 s before to 30 s after the highest recorded temperature (T±30) were extrapolated. Tests duration
was also recorded. Both Tmax and T±30 were significantly higher in the ‘6 s cycles’ group than the ‘4 s
cycles’ group (42.44 ± 7.3 ◦C vs. 37.24 ± 4.6 ◦C, p = 0.002; 37.24 ± 4.6 ◦C vs. 33.30 ± 3.3 ◦C, p = 0.003).
Test duration was also significantly higher using 6 s cycles compared to 4 s cycles (143.17 ± 29.4 s
vs. 119.80 ± 36.4 s, p = 0.002). The results of this study indicate that working cycles of 4 s effectively
reduce heat generation and working time during piezoelectric implant site preparation