Effects of Aging Torque Controllers on Screw Tightening Force and Bacterial Micro-Leakage on the Implant-Abutment Complex

Yousef Jiries, Tamar Brosh, Shlomo Matalon, Vladimir Perlis, Zeev Ormianer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: We assess the accuracy of torque controllers after several aging processes and the bacterial leakage on Implant-Abutment complexes (IAC).Methods: A total of 12 spring-type and 12 friction-type torque controllers and 48 IAC (24 conical and 24 hexagonal connections) were evalu-ated. Chemical, mechanical, temperature, and pressure-aging methods were applied individually to replicate clinical use. Torque controller accuracy was analyzed before and after aging using a calibrated gauge. To assess bacterial leakage, the IAC were suspended in a bacterial medium for 24 h. Direct Contact Test (DCT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (RT-PCR) analyzed the infiltration of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis into the IAC micro-gap. Results: A significant decrease in torque after 10 days of aging was found. The spring-type torque controller was affected the most, regardless of the aging method (P < 0.05). PCR results indicated that all groups exhibited significantly more bacterial leakage, regardless of the method used (P < 0.05). The conical IAC demonstrated more bacterial leakage of P. gingivalis compared with the hexagonal IAC (P = 0.07). DCT found bacterial growth in the IAC only before aging and was not identified after aging. Conclusion: Aging affects torque accuracy. A reduction in force was noticed after 10 days. The conical IAC exhibits more bacterial leakage, although this was not statistically significant.

Original languageEnglish
Article number620
JournalMaterials
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2022

Keywords

  • Bacteria penetration
  • Sterilization
  • Torque
  • Torque controller

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