title: Implant abutment screw torque generated by general dentists using a hand driver in a limited access space simulating the mouth.
abstract: For various reasons, dentists may be tempted to definitively tighten implant abutment screws using only handheld screwdrivers. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of general dentists to generate implant abutment screw preload using a simple screwdriver in a limited-access space simulating the mouth. Results indicated that mechanical torque wrenches must be used in posterior areas of the mouth to establish sufficient preload, and dental experience is not a major factor in the ability to tighten an implant abutment screw.
authors.affiliation: Department of Care Planning and Restorative Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Mississippi, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39116, USA. EEHill@sod.umsmed.edu
authors.forename: Edward E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Larry C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Breeding
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003765:Models, Dental; D019415:Torque
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants