title: The effects of two torque values on the screw preload of implant-supported prostheses with passive fit or misfit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of increased torque of the abutment screw and retorquing after 10 minutes on implant-supported fixed prostheses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two strain gauges (SGs) were attached to four implants stabilized on an acrylic resin mandible. Four implant-supported frameworks were constructed to represent passive fit (PF) and different amounts of misfit (MF1, MF2, and MF3). Vertical misfit was measured using a traveling microscope. Each framework was torqued to 35 Ncm (the manufacturer's recommendation) and 40 Ncm, and the preload was recorded immediately and again after retorquing 10 minutes later (torque stage).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The smallest gap was observed under the PF framework. Three-way analysis of variance revealed significant effects of the framework, torque value, and torque stage on preload. The PF showed the highest mean preload under both torque values. An independent-sample t test between the torque values revealed a statistically significant difference only for MF1 and MF2. A dependent-sample t test of the torque stage revealed a statistically significant difference at a torque value of 35 Ncm under the PF and MF3 frameworks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing the torque value beyond the manufacturer's recommended amount and retorquing of the screws at 10 minutes after the initial torque did not necessarily lead to a significant increase in preload in full-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses, particularly under non-passively fitting frameworks.
authors.forename: Hanan Nejer
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Al-Otaibi
authors.forename: Riyadh Fadul
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Akeel
mesh_terms: D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design; D015921:Dental Implants; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D019415:Torque
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants