Evaluation of removal torque values for titanium screws of prosthetic abutments after different torque application techniques: in vitro study
<p class="Corpo"><strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the removal torque values on abutment screws after different torque application techniques. <strong>Materials and methods:</strong> Thirty specimens of an external hexagon implant, a prefabricated abutment and a titanium screw were distributed randomly in three groups. In group 1, the screws received a torque of 30 N.cm; group 2 received a torque of 30N.cm and a second torque after 10 min, in accordance with the technique proposed by Brending et al. and Dixon et al.; in group 3, a torque of 30 N.cm was applied and maintained for 20 s, in accordance with the technique recommended by Sella et al. The specimens were attached to a universal testing machine and a digital key was coupled to the load cell in order to control the torque value at a velocity of 1 N.cm/s. Removal torque was performed 10 minutes after torque application. Values were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (α = 0.05). <strong>Results:</strong> The mean and standard deviations (±SD) of removal torque values found were 27.95±0.99N.cm for group 1, 28.32±0.68N.cm for group 2 and 26.89±1.03N.cm for group 3. Groups 1 and 2 exhibited statistically higher values of torque than group 3 (p ˂ 0.05). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The technique recommended by Breeding et al. and Dixon et al. seemed to be the best option when considering the removal torque values of external hexagon implants.</p><p class="Corpo"> </p><p class="Corpo"><strong>Keywords<em>:</em></strong><strong> </strong>Abutment screw; Dental implants; Removal torque.<strong></strong></p>