Detorque force and surface change of coated abutment screw after repeated closing and opening / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Recently researches about WC/C (Tungsten Carbide/Carbon) or TiN (Titanium Nitride) coating on abutment screws are going on. It decreases friction coefficient, resistance against corrosion and withdrawal of physical fragility when the coating is applied to the metal surfaces. It is reported that coated abutment screws improved abrasion, adaptability and detorque force. PURPOSE: This study is about the effects of coated abutment screws on loosening of screw and for the purpose of solving the loosening phenomenon of abutment screws which is clinical problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Detorque force and surface changes are compared when 10 times of repeated closing and opening are applied to both uncoated titanium abutment screws (Group A) and coated abutment screws with WC/C (Group B) and TiN (Group C). Each group was made up of 10 abutment screws. RESULTS: 1. Before repeated closing and opening, Somewhat rough surface with regular direction was observed in Group A. Coated granules were observed in group B and group C and overall coated layer appeared in regular and smooth form. 2. Before repeated closing and opening, The coated surface showed bigger and thicker size of coated granules in Group C than Group B. 3. After repeated closing and opening, abrasion and deformation of abutment screw surface was observed in Group A and Group B. Exfoliation phenomenon was observed in Group B. 4. Group A showed biggest range of decrease when the weight changes of abutment screws were measured before and after repeated closing and opening. Group C showed less weight changes than Group B but there was no statistical difference between two groups. 5. Group B and Group C showed higher average detorque force than Group A and there was statistical difference. 6. Group A showed more prominent decrease tendency of average detorque force than Group B and Group C. CONCLUSION: Coated abutment screws with WC/C or TiN did not show prominent surface changes than uncoated titanium abutment screws even though they were repeatedly used. And they showed excellent resistance against friction and high detorque force. Thus it is considered that adaptation of WC/C or TiN coating on abutment screws will improve the screw loosening problem.

Effect of TiN coating of abutment screw on detorque force / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of TiN coating of abutment screw on the unscrewing torque. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Titanium and Gold-Tite abutment screws were classified into two groups, Group A and C respectively, as control groups. Titanium abutment screws with TiN coatings were also classified into two groups, Group B and D, as experimental ones. Group A and B were tightened to 20 Ncm input torque, and Group C and D were tightened to 32 Ncm torque. Detorque values were measured with digital torque gauge during repeated closing and opening experiment. RESULTS: Abutment screws with TiN coating (Group B and D) showed statistically significant higher mean detorque values than those of Group A and C. DISSCUSION: Physical properties of TiN coating, such as low friction coefficient, high hardness and wear resistance, might contribute to higher detorque values. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that TiN coating of abutment screw help to reduce the risk of screw loosening and improve the stability of screw joint.

Detorque force of TiN-coated abutment screw with various coating thickness after repeated closing and opening / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: When TiN coating is applied to the abutment screw, occurrence of greater preload and prevention of the screw loosening could be expected due to decrease of frictional resistance. However, the proper thickness of TiN coating on abutment screw has not been yet reported. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find out the appropriate TiN coating thickness by evaluating the detorque force and the surface change of titanium abutment screw with various TiN coating thickness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1. Material Thirty five non-coated abutment screws were prepared for TiN coating. TiN coatings were prepared by Arc ion plating method. Depending on the coating deposition time(CDT), experimental groups were divided into 6 groups(CDT 30min, 60min, 90min, 120min, 150min, 180min) and those of 1 group was not coated as a control group. Each group was made up of 5 abutment screws. 2. Methods FE-SEM(Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscoper) and EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) were used to observe the surface of the abutment screw. Electric scales was used to measure the weight of the abutment screw after the repeated closing and opening of 10 trials. Detorque force was measured with digital torque gauge, at each trial. RESULTS: 1. As the coating deposition time increased, the surface became more consistent and smooth. 2. As for the abutment screws that were TiN coated for more than 60 minutes, no surface change was found after the repeated closing and opening. 3. The TiN coated abutment screws showed less weight change than the non-coated abutment screws. 4. The TiN coated abutment screws showed higher mean detorque force than the noncoated abutment screws. 5. The abutment screw coated for 60 minutes showed the highest mean detorque force. CONCLUSION: The coating layer of proper thickness is demanded to obtain consistent and smooth coating surface, resistance to wear, and increased detorque force of the abutment screw. In conclusion, the coating deposition time of 60 minutes indicated improved mechanical property, when TiN coating was conducted on titanium abutment screw.