Evaluating the Impact of Rotary Instrument Lubricants on Dental Implant Osseointegration: An Experimental Rabbit Tibia Study

Purpose: To investigate the impact of mineral oil lubricants used in rotary instruments on osseointegration within rabbit tibias with a specific focus on potential contamination from dental handpieces. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 New Zealand rabbits were included in this study, each receiving 2 implants in each tibia, resulting in a total of 48 implants across the study. Groups were organized based on the time until euthanasia and the degree of implant contamination. Three contamination levels were defined: The first group received implants without any lubricant in the handpiece (control group); the second group received implants with handpieces managed as recommended; and the third group received presoaked implants that were placed via a handpiece treated as per the second group’s protocol. These groups were further subdivided based on euthanization periods of 2 and 4 weeks. Both the removal torque and the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were measured and analyzed. Results: No significant correlation was observed between the degree of implant contamination and removal torque. However, there was a significant reduction in BIC associated with higher contamination levels, particularly after 4 weeks. Conclusions: Even brief exposure to lubricants from handpieces can jeopardize the osseointegration of implants in bone. Therefore, it is imperative to implement thorough procedures for lubricant removal after application and to employ precise cleaning and suction during implant drilling and placement to minimize residual oil on the implant surface.