Minimal Electrocautery as an Alternative Approach for Implant Removal: A Preliminary Animal Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to introduce electrocautery for failed implant fixtures removal and to compare the results of this technique according to electrocautery time. Materials and Methods: Implants were placed in the femoral condyle of 12-week-old male New Zealand white rabbits. Five implants in three rabbits were used as the experimental group, and two implants in one rabbit were used as the control group. Six weeks later, electrocautery was performed at 30 W for 10 sec and 15 sec in the experimental group, whereas electrocautery was not performed in the control group. One week later, the implants were removed by hand wrench, and histological analysis was performed. Results: At six weeks after implant placement, histological analysis confirmed osseointegration of the fixtures. As a result of electrocautery, the removal torque of implant fixtures was reduced, and osseointegration broke down. There was no difference in the histologic images of the specimens after removal of the fixture between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: This study showed that minimal electrocautery with low output for a short time can be utilized for implant removal with minimal damage to the surrounding bone.