Effect of Screw Channel Angulation on Reverse Torque Values of Dental Implant Abutment Screws

To compare the reverse torque values (RTVs) of abutment screws tightened from three different angles.

Implant abutment screws (n = 48), abutments (3), and regular platform implant analogs (3) were divided into three angulation groups (n = 16/group). Custom guides of 0°, 10°, and 20° were fabricated to verify driver angulation. The implant components for each group were assembled and all screws torqued to 35 Ncm using a universal screwdriver in a manual torque wrench at the appropriate angle. Torque was reapplied 10 minutes after initial torque. A digital gauge was then used to measure reverse torque at a position parallel (0°) to the implant analog. RTVs were recorded and compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc comparisons (α = 0.05).

All mean RTVs fell below the targeted torque value of 35Ncm, with some values in each angulation group 10% below of the target value. Mean RTVs in descending order from targeted torque value were: 10° group = 32.07 ± 0.97 Ncm, 0° group = 31.16 ± 1.12 Ncm, and 20° group = 30.08 ± 0.88 Ncm. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between angulation groups (F = 15.954, p < 0.001). Tukey HSD post hoc comparisons revealed that the mean RTVs of the three angulation groups were significantly different from each other (0° vs. 10°: p = 0.033; 0° vs. 20°: p = 0.011; 10° vs. 20°: p < 0.001).

All RTVs did not reach the targeted torque value of 35 Ncm. Mean screw RTVs were significantly influenced by screwdriver insertion angulation.