New Low-speed Site Preparation Protocol Significantly Reduces Noise

Objectives: In dental implantology, site preparation often involves the use of several high-speed drills in a stepwise protocol. The high pitch noise emitted by conventional drills is proportional to the drill’s speed and is considered a primary trigger for patient distress. Recently, a new site preparation instrument (OsseoShaper™, Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) was developed to work efficiently at low speeds (<50 rpm). Here, we quantified the sound emitted during site preparation with this new instrument (OS) in comparison to conventional drills (CD).
Methods: Forty sites were prepared in bone surrogate (Sawbones®, Pacific Research Laboratories) fitted with a piezoelectric pick-up (Schaller Oyster S/P). Implant sites were prepared either 1 cm (OS, n = 10; CD, n = 10) or 3 cm (OS, n = 10; CD, n = 10) from the sensor. All OS and CD sites were prepared at 50 rpm or 1200 rpm, respectively. The root mean square (RMS) amplitude and time-resolved frequency spectra were analyzed in the audible spectrum (up to 20 kHz).
Results: The sound emitted during OS preparation was characterized by a single-pitch note with a fundamental frequency of 1.3 kHz and harmonics at higher frequencies originating from the drill unit motor. Site preparation with CD had a less defined spectrum, with wide peaks at 2 kHz and 3 kHz and greater background noise. The RMS amplitude was significantly higher (p<0.05, two-sample t test) for the conventional drill than for the OS over the entire insertion time.
Conclusions: Reducing noise and vibration can be an effective measure for anxiety prevention. This study showed that the slow and controlled site preparation of the OS produces significantly reduced noise compared to CD. In fact, the anxiety inducing noise characteristic of CD is nearly eliminated with the OS protocol. Therefore, patient comfort may be improved with the OS over conventional protocols.