Overheating bone during osteotomy (drilling errors)
What it is
Generating excessive heat (>47°C for >1 minute) during osteotomy drilling, causing thermal necrosis of the peri-implant bone. This leads to fibrous encapsulation instead of osseointegration and early implant failure.
Why it happens
• Excessive drilling speed (>1500 rpm without adequate irrigation) • Insufficient or absent external irrigation during drilling • Using dull or worn drill bits (cutting efficiency drops after 15-20 uses) • Excessive axial pressure on the handpiece • Prolonged drilling without intermittent withdrawal (pumping motion) • Drilling through dense cortical bone (D1) without reducing speed • Single continuous drilling stroke instead of pecking motion
The full clinical mistake entry includes
- How to avoid it — the prevention protocol
- The clinical tip experienced clinicians use
- The documented reference behind the mistake
More clinical mistakes
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