Use of sonic instruments for implant biopsy retrieval

ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro the quality of dental implant biopsies collected using trephines or a sonic instrument. MethodSixty implants, 4mm long and 2.4mm in diameter, were installed in twelve fresh bovine ribs. Biopsies were collected after using three different methods for retrieval, 20 biopsies representing each group: (A) A trephine used concentrically; (B) a trephine used eccentrically; and (C) a sonic device (Sonosurgery((R))). The time used for biopsy collection was recorded, and an evaluation of the quality of the biopsies obtained was performed. The specimens were subsequently prepared for ground sections, and tissue-to-implant contact percentages (TIC%) were evaluated in a stereomicroscope. ResultsTime needed for biopsy collection in Groups A and B was between 2 and 3min, while in C, it amounted to 10-11min. The differences between Group C and the other two groups were statistically significant (P<0.00006). Group C showed significantly greater volumes of tissue around the apex of the implants compared with the other two groups (P<0.027). Groups A and C showed biopsies with higher quality compared with Group B (P<0.05). Group C presented a higher TIC% compared with the other two groups (P<0.008). ConclusionCompared with the use of trephines, the use of a sonic device for harvesting biopsies resulted in higher-quality biopsies and generated smaller residual defects. However, the harvesting was more time-consuming and was limited to one aspect of the implants.