A measurement of torque values obtained with hand-held drivers in a simulated clinical setting.
OBJECTIVE
This study measures the amount of torque that can be applied to the heads of implant screws via hand-held drivers and wrenches in a simulated clinical setting.


METHODS
Sixty second-year dental students applied their maximum controlled torque to the head of a hex instrument attached to a Tonichi torque gauge mounted in a mannequin. The torque values obtained were recorded, and a mean torque value was calculated RESULTS; The mean torque value obtained in this study was 11.55 N.cm.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-diameter, 10 N.cm gold screws can be adequately tightened with manufacturer-supplied instrumentation. Larger screws requiring more than 10 N.cm of torque cannot be tightened manually using currently available hand-held screwdrivers and hand wrenches.
Dellinges
M A
MA
Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco.
Tebrock
O C
OC
D015921:Dental Implants; D003762:Dental Instruments; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D008422:Materials Testing; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation
D015921:Dental Implants