Background: Implantoplasty is one of the options in treating peri-implantitis. The efficacy of the dental bur used can reduce the time needed for the procedure and, as a consequence, minimize the risk of overheating that can negatively affect the remaining bone surrounding the implant.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three dental burs in removing implant substance (titanium) and to determine the amount of heat generated by each bur.
Materials and methods: Four burs with different surface properties (diamond, diamond - Premium Line, carbide, and smooth bur - control [Strauss Co., Raanana, Israel]) were attached to a high-speed handpiece and applied to a titanium implant for a total of 60 seconds after cooling by water spray. Variations in temperature were recorded every 5 seconds, and the amount of implant substance removed (reduction in weight of the implant) was evaluated.
Results: The diamond Premium Line bur removed 59.24 mg; carbide, 29.39 mg; diamond, 11.35 mg; and smooth bur (control) 0.19 mg, statistically significant. Only minimum thermal changes (∼1.5°C) were recorded for all four burs.
Conclusions: There are considerable differences in efficiency of different burs working on titanium. Selecting the proper bur can reduce working time. Under proper cooling conditions, implantoplasty does not generate excess temperature increases that can damage soft tissue or bone surrounding the treated implant.
© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.