Abstract
Background: The success of osseointegration in dental implants is largely influenced by the surface characteristics, including texture, chemistry, and cleanliness. This study investigates the effect of a rotary instrument mineral oil lubricant on the osseointegration of dental implants in the rabbit tibia, addressing concerns about lubricant-induced surface contamination from dental handpieces.
Methods: We used six New Zealand rabbits and inserted two implants per tibia in each animal for a total of 24 implants. Each group was further divided into two rabbits: the first group was placed with no lubricant used in the fixture and hand-piece (control); the second group was placed in the fixture after the recommended management of the handpiece; and the third group was placed in a lubricant-soaked fixture. Two weeks and four weeks later, the rabbits were euthanized. The removal torque and bone-implant contact were measured by histomorphometric examination.
Results: Although an inverse relationship was observed between the fixture contamination severity and removal torque, the correlation was not statistically significant. In contrast, a clear decrease in bone-implant contact was noted with increased levels of contamination, with this effect being statistically significant at the 4-week.
Conclusion: Even if a handpiece is used for a short duration, difficulties in controlling lubricant expulsion can pose problems for bone osseointegration of the implant. Therefore, a thorough expulsion process is necessary after oiling, and during implant drilling and placement, meticulous cleaning and suction should be employed to minimize the amount of residual oil on the implant.