title: Accuracy and precision of as-received implant torque wrenches.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous implant torque evaluation did not determine if the target value fell within a confidence interval for the population mean of the test groups, disallowing determination of whether a specific type of wrench met a standardized goal value.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure both the accuracy and precision of 2 different configurations (spring style and peak break) of as-received implant torque wrenches and compare the measured values to manufacturer-stated values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten wrenches from 4 manufacturers, representing a variety of torque-limiting mechanisms and specificity of use (with either a specific brand or universally with any brand of implant product). Drivers were placed into the wrench, and tightening torque was applied to reach predetermined values using a NIST-calibrated digital torque wrench. Five replications of measurement were made for each wrench and averaged to provide a single value from that instrument. The target torque value for each wrench brand was compared to the 95% confidence interval for the true population mean of measured values to see if it fell within the measured range.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 1 wrench brand (Nobel Biocare) demonstrated the target torque value falling within the 95% confidence interval for the true population mean. For others, the targeted torque value fell above the 95% confidence interval (Straumann and Imtec) or below (Salvin Torq).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither type of torque-limiting mechanism nor designation of a wrench to be used as a dedicated brand-only product or to be used as a universal product on many brands affected the ability of a wrench to deliver torque values where the true population mean included the target torque level.
authors.affiliation: Former resident, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Graduate Prosthodontics Program, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Britton-Vidal
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Research Technologist, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mettenburg
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Darshanjit S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pannu
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Looney
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Londono
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, Ga. Electronic address: frueggeb@gru.edu.
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Rueggeberg
mesh_terms: D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015921:Dental Implants; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D019415:Torque
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants