['Intrabony temperature increase is not only dependent on shearing energy and mechanical friction between bone and surgical drill but is also related to heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the surrounding bone and the applied surgical instrument. Thus time of occurrence of the highest temperature rise can be expected after the shearing process of the osteotomy, potentially affecting the process of osseointegration.', 'The aim of this study was to evaluate temperature changes during the shearing and withdrawing processes during osteotomies.', 'An overall 160 automated intermittent osteotomies (10/16\u2009mm drilling depth) with 2\u2009mm diameter twist drills and 3.5\u2009mm diameter conical drills and different irrigation methods (without/external/internal/combined) were performed on standardized bone specimens. The drilling cycles were operated by a computer-controlled surgical system, while a linear motion potentiometer and multichannel temperature sensors in various intrabony levels ensured the real-time documentation of temperature changes during the shearing and withdrawing processes.', 'The highest temperature changes were invariably recorded during the process of withdrawal. Significantly lower temperature changes (p\u2009<\u2009.02) could be recorded at maximum drilling depths during the shearing process regardless of drilling depth, diameter or irrigation method. During coolant supply, 2\u2009mm diameter twist drills showed higher temperatures (10\u2009mm, p\u2009<\u2009.01/16\u2009mm, p\u2009<\u2009.03) compared with 3.5\u2009mm diameter conical implant drills. Internal (10\u2009mm, p\u2009<\u2009.01) or combined irrigation (16\u2009mm, p\u2009<\u2009.01) was associated with significantly lower temperatures compared with external irrigation by the use of conical implant drills.'] Do drilling- and withdrawing-related thermal changes during implant site osteotomies?