Performance of six bone collectors designed for dental implant surgery

The aim of this study was to perform an in vitro comparison of six bone collectors for harvesting of particulate bone.

Four commercially available bone collectors (Frios, Osseous Coagulum Trap, ACE Autografter, Bone Trap) and two custom-designed models were tested. Three different in vitro tests were performed to determine the harvesting capabilities of the collectors. In test I, a bovine mandible was drilled and the bone collectors were used to collect bone chips. The harvested bone volumes and dry weights were measured after harvesting. In test II, three dental implant sites were prepared in a bovine mandible. The bones from the implant osteotomies were collected, and bone volumes and dry weights were measured. In test III, 1 ml of bone chips was mixed with water, and suctioned through the bone collectors. The volumes of the bone chips retained were measured to determine the efficiency of each collector.

The Osseous Coagulum Trap and the custom-made collectors were the most effective instruments in test I. The mean volumes ranged from 0.17 to 0.38 ml. In test II, the difference between the collectors was small and the bone volume ranged from 0.28 to 0.37 ml. In test III, the Bone Trap became blocked before the other collectors, and its bone procurement was therefore limited.

Comparison of six different bone collectors in this in vitro study showed that all collectors are usable in clinical situations but their effectiveness varies.