# Development of dental implant drill with detection mechanism of bone quality change

## TL;DR

This paper describes a new dental implant drill that can detect changes in bone quality to prevent dangerous perforations during surgery.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is a drill with an autonomous bone quality detection mechanism to prevent maxillary sinus membrane perforation.

## Key findings

- The drill automatically stops rotating when encountering softer tissue beyond cortical bone.
- The system halted drill advancement at approximately 0.47 mm beyond a simulated bone surface.
- This mechanism significantly reduces the risk of maxillary sinus membrane perforation.

## Abstract

This study aims to develop and evaluate a dental implant drill system capable of preventing maxillary sinus membrane perforation, a common complication in cases with limited alveolar bone height, particularly in the maxillary molar region. The primary objective is to design a mechanism that autonomously detects changes in bone quality and halts drill rotation upon reaching the sinus floor.

A novel dental implant drill incorporating an integrated bone quality detection mechanism was developed. The system includes a centrally mounted detector that actuates a switch controlling drill rotation. When cortical bone is penetrated and softer tissue is encountered, the detector extends outward, interrupting power to the motor. A penetration test was conducted using a 5 mm thick wooden board as a surrogate bone model to evaluate the drill’s response to cortical penetration.

Experimental trials demonstrated that the drill automatically ceased rotation upon advancing approximately 0.47 mm beyond a simulated bone surface. Given that the maxillary sinus membrane is typically less than 1 mm in thickness, this minimal protrusion indicates a significantly reduced risk of perforation.

The proposed drill system effectively detects transitions in bone quality and prevents over-penetration, offering a promising solution for enhancing surgical safety during maxillary implant procedures.