OBJECTIVE

To perform a detailed quantitative analysis of the effect of intermittent drilling and irrigation to lower the temperature during high-speed drilling.

METHODS

We examined the thermal changes for 15 bone flaps while drilling a 7- x 7-mm area for 18 seconds and a specific point for 9 seconds, under the following conditions: continuous or intermittent drilling; with a fluted steel or a diamond ball cutter; without or with irrigation, with room temperature or cold (8 degrees C) Ringer solution.

RESULTS

The maximum temperature during continuous drilling with a diamond cutter (or steel cutter) was 82.4 +/- 1.3 degrees C (55.2 +/- 1.0 degrees C) without irrigation, 42.5 +/- 1.2 degrees C (35.4 +/- 0.9 degrees C) with room temperature Ringer irrigation, and 22.5 +/- 1.4 degrees C (21.6 +/- 0.3 degrees C) with cold Ringer irrigation, whereas that during intermittent drilling was 66.1 +/- 1.2 degrees C (35.6 +/- 0.8 degrees C), 35.0 +/- 0.8 degrees C (25.4 +/- 0.7 degrees C), and 21.5 +/- 0.6 degrees C (21.8 +/- 0.4 degrees C), respectively. During continuous drilling of a specific point, the radius of the concentric isothermal line for 43 degrees C (thermal threshold for neurons) was 3.6 +/- 0.8 mm with a steel cutter, and it was 8.1 +/- 0.3 mm with a diamond cutter. The radius was 4.2 +/- 0.8 mm during intermittent drilling with a diamond cutter, and it was 4.0 +/- 0.1 mm during continuous drilling with room temperature Ringer irrigation. Intermittent drilling with cold Ringer irrigation kept the temperature, even at the center of the drilled area, below 20 degrees C.

CONCLUSION

Intentional intermittent drilling with irrigation reduces temperature elevation and its expansion. These procedures are necessary for safe drilling, especially with a diamond burr. Although cold irrigation can minimize temperature elevation, its substantial effect on nerves or other structures needs to be elucidated.