Effect of Wet Field on the DE Torque Values of Abutment Screws

Abstract

Screw loosening is amongst the most prevalent mechanical problems in dental implant prosthetics. Clinicians will know if the reverse Detorque values are compromised by contamination of the implant abutment screw hole either by blood , saliva or saline. Research have shown that the drying of the implant cavity may decrease the preload value when the abutment screw is closed and thereafter increase the likelihood of abutment screw loosening. Mobility of the prosthesis, or screw fracture and increase the risk of peri-implant soft-tissue inflammation. This study aims to assess and compare the effect of wet and dry fields while torqueing the abutment screws on the DE torque values. 40 Nobel bio care implant analogues mounted in plaster models were used in this study. The samples were divided into four groups dry abutment screws, artificial saliva, blood and normal saline. All the abutment screws were tightened till 20 Ncm and left aside for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the abutment screw were DE torqued, and the DE torque values were noted for tall the groups. When analysed using paired sample t-test there was no significant difference with artificial saliva (p=0.269). There was statistical difference with blood (p=0.00) and with saline (p=0.00). Based on this study, the presence of saliva decreases the DE torque values of the abutment screws, whereas Blood and saline increase the DE torque values of the abutment screws. The presence of blood clot might be the reason for the increase in DE torque values which might decrease once the clot disintegrates. Clinicians should prevent contamination of the screw hole by blood and saliva; if contamination arises, sanitation of the infected screw and also the screw hole until final tightening is advised.