Evaluation of the effectiveness of a technique to prevent screw loosening.
BACKGROUND
Abutment screw loosening of single and multiple fixed partial dentures attached to external hexagonal implants is commonly encountered.


OBJECTIVE
A technique that has been reported to prevent abutment screw loosening was tested with cyclic loading to determine its effectiveness.


METHODS
A sample using identical components and test protocol, with the abutment screw tightened to 20 Ncm, was used as control.


RESULTS
On the basis of the data obtained, the recommended technique does not increase resistance to screw loosening. The control sample sustained a mean number of cycles to screw loosening of more than twice that of the technique evaluated.
Binon
P P
PP
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco, USA.
D002138:Calibration; D003188:Composite Resins; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D012399:Rotation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D019415:Torque
D003188:Composite Resins; D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium