Accuracy of different electronic torque drivers: A comparative evaluation

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the loosening torque on the implant fixture, and to assess the accuracy of difference electronic torque drivers.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three electronic torque drivers were used to measure the loosening torque on the implant system (AnyOne; MegaGen). The implant fixtures were divided among the 3 electronic torque driver types (W&H, SAESHIN, and NSK group) and 9 for each group. The screws were fastened at the implant fixture by three electronic torque drivers using the tightening torques recommended by the manufacturers of the drivers. After 10 minutes, the screws were again fastened at the implant fixture with equal torque. Then, the loosening torques were measured with an MGT12 torque gauge (MARK-10, Inc.). This measurement procedure was repeated 10 times under loosening torques of 15 Ncm, 25 Ncm, and 35 Ncm. In the statistical analysis, all values of loosening torque were analyzed with the one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test (α=.05) for comparative evaluation.RESULTS: There were significant inter-group differences at loosening torques of 15 Ncm and 25 Ncm (P<.05). The accuracy of the NSK driver was the highest, followed by SAESHIN and W&H. There was no significant difference between NSK and W&H at 35 Ncm (P>.05). The SAESHIN driver showed the closest loosening torque at 35 Ncm.CONCLUSION: The most accurate loosening torques were SAESHIN at 35 Ncm, and NSK at 15 Ncm and 25 Ncm. Since the loosening torque may vary depending on the tightening torques and electronic torque drivers, periodic calibration of the electronic torque driver is recommended.

Effect of retorque on loosening torque of prosthetic screws under two levels of fit of implant-supported dentures

This study evaluated the influence of retorque on loosening torque (Lt) of prosthetic screws in implant-supported dentures with different fit levels. Ten mandibular implant-supported dentures were fabricated and then 20 cast models were then prepared using prosthetic structures to create 2 fit levels: passive fit (Pf) and misfit (Mf). Two tightening techniques were also evaluated: initial torque only (T1); and initial torque and retorque after 10 min (T2). Gold or titanium screws were used, resulting in 4 groups to each one: Pf/T1, Pf/T2, Mf/T1, Mf/T2. The Lt was measured 24 h after the tightening torque using digital torque meter. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05), separately for each screw material. For titanium screws, no significant difference (p>0.05) was found between Pf/T1 and Pf/T2, or between Pf/T2 and Mf/T2. However, statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between Pf/T1 and Mf/T1, and between Mf/T1 and Mf/T2. Mf reduced the Lt using T1, while and T2 increased the Lt for Mf. Retorque and fit were shown to have no significant influence on the Lt of the gold screws. Retorque application made insignificant the misfit effect on the Lt of the titanium screws, suggesting that this procedure should be performed routinely during the screw tightening in multi-unit dentures.

Este estudo avaliou a influência do retorque no Ta dos parafusos protéticos em próteses implantossuportadas com diferentes níveis de adaptação. Foram confeccionadas 10 próteses mandibulares implantossuportadas. Vinte modelos de gesso foram fabricados utilizando as estruturas protéticas para criar os 2 níveis de adaptação: adaptação passiva (AP) e desajuste (D). Foram avaliadas 2 técnicas de aperto do parafuso: inicial torque (T1); e inicial torque e retorque após 10 min (T2). Foram usados parafusos de ouro e titânio, resultando em 4 grupos para cada material do parafuso: AP/T1, AP/T2, D/T1, D/T2. O Ta foi mensurado 24 h após o torque de aperto utilizando torquímetro digital. Os resultados foram analisados pela ANOVA (2 fatores) e teste de Tukey (α=0,05), separadamente para cada material dos parafusos. Para os parafusos de titânio, não foi encontrada diferença estatística significante entre AP/T1 e AP/T2, ou AP/T2 e D/T2; porém, diferença significante foi encontrada entre AP/T1 e D/T1, ou D/T1 e D/T2. Onde, D reduziu a Ta utilizando T1; e T2 aumentou o Ta para D. Retorque e adaptação não apresentaram influência significante no Ta dos parafusos de ouro. A aplicação do retorque tornou insignificante o efeito do desajuste no Ta dos parafusos de titânio, sugerindo que este procedimento deveria ser usado rotineiramente durante os parafusos protéticos de titânio em próteses múltiplas.