The Osteotome Versus Conventional Drilling Technique for Implant Site Preparation: A Comparative Study in the Rabbit

The aim of this research was to study the influence of the osteotome technique on insertion torque and stability values when compared with conventional surgical drilling of the implant site. A total of 20 implants (4-mm diameter, 8.5-mm long) were placed in the distal femural condyle of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. The implant sites were prepared by using either the conventional drilling technique as a control group (group A) or the osteotome technique (group B). Cutting torque and resonance frequency analyses (RFAs) were conducted at and after implant placement. The resulting values were subjected to correlation and comparative analyses between groups. Insertion torque measurements were conducted at three different levels of implant insertion: crestal, middle, and apical. Group B showed higher mean insertion torque and RFA values (P .05). No statistically significant correlation could be observed when comparing the mean torque values with RFA values (P > .05). Bone condensation before implant insertion in low-density bone led to higher mean insertion torque and RFA values. Within the limits of this experimental study, a benefit in using the osteotome technique was observed when dealing with low-density bone. Bone condensation can improve primary stabilization of implants.