• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.721-737
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• 1998

Abutment screw loosening of implant restorations is a common problem in the treatment of dental implant. The purpose of this study was to calculate stress and preload from the elongation measurements and to determine maximum tightening torque without plastic deformation of the screw. The length of each gold alloy UCLA screw was measured after tightening to the manufacturer's recommended torque of 32 N-cm. Similarity, titanium UCLA screws were measured after tightening to the manufacturer's recommended torque of 20 N-cm. Loosening torque was also measured after tightening to 32 N-cm torque for gold alloy abutment screws and 20 N-cm for titanium abutment screws. The results were as follows ; 1. There was a regressive relationship between screw elongation and tightening torque (gold alloy : $r^2=0.987$, titanium : $r^2=0.978$), and the mean preload calculated from elongation measurements was $501.11{\pm}26.85\;N$ (gold alloy) and $399.43{\pm}7.61\;N$ (titanium). 2. Stress calculated for the gold alloy and titanium screws at maximum recommended tightening torque was less than 60% of their respective yield strengths and with-in the elastic range. Maximum tightening torque without plastic deformation was 61 N-cm (gold alloy) and 39 N-cm (titanium). 3. For titanium screws, there was a significant difference between loosening after trial 1 and loosening after trials 2 to 5 (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was seen in mean loosening torques between the first and subsequent trials for gold alloy screws.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.375-379
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of tightening technique and the screw coating on the loosening torque of screws used for Universal Abutment fixation after cyclic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Forty implants (Titamax Ti Cortical, HE, Neodent) (n=10) were submerged in acrylic resin and four tightening techniques for Universal Abutment fixation were evaluated: A - torque with 32 Ncm (control); B - torque with 32 Ncm holding the torque meter for 20 seconds; C - torque with 32 Ncm and retorque after 10 minutes; D - torque (32 Ncm) holding the torque meter for 20 seconds and retorque after 10 minutes as initially. Samples were divided into subgroups according to the screw used: conventional titanium screw or diamond like carbon-coated (DLC) screw. Metallic crowns were fabricated for each abutment. Samples were submitted to cyclic loading at $10^6$ cycles and 130 N of force. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS. The tightening technique did not show significant influence on the loosening torque of screws (P=.509). Conventional titanium screws showed significant higher loosening torque values than DLC (P=.000). CONCLUSION. The use of conventional titanium screw is more important than the tightening techniques employed in this study to provide long-term stability to Universal Abutment screws.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.119-130
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• 2007

Statement of problem: A few dry lubricants were applied to abutment screws for the improvement of joint stability. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface change and fit of TiN-Coated abutment screw through the examination of tested screws in the field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM;Netherland, Phillips co., model:XL 30 SFEG) after repeated closing and opening. Materials and method: Titanium(3i/implant Innovations Inc, USA) and Gold-Tite abutment screws(3i/implant Innovations Inc, USA) were selected for Group A and C respectively. TiN coated titanium abutment screws were also divided into two groups, Group B and D. Abutment screws of each group and the fit of abutment screw/implant fixture/abutment were observed on FE-SEM after repeated closing and opening test respectively. Results: 1. The abutment screws of TiN coated groups(Group B and D) showed more remarkable wear resistance in the threads of the screw than those of the other group(Group A and C). 2. There were more severe wear and defect of TiN coating in Group D tightened to 32 Ncm than Group B to 20 Ncm. 3. There was no difference in the fit of abutment screw/fixture/abutment among four groups, Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, it is suggested that TiN coating of abutment screw be clinically acceptable and be expected to reduce the risk of abutment screw loosening. TiN coating of abutment screw showed good resistance against wear and the adequate fit of abutment screw/implant fixture/abutment.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.329-338
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• 2007

Purpose. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of TiN coating of abutment screw on the unscrewing torque. Material and methods. Titanium and Gold-Tite abutment screws were classified into two groups, Group A and C respectively, as control groups. Titanium abutment screws with TiN coatings were also classified into two groups, Group B and D, as experimental ones. Group A and B were tightened to 20 Ncm input torque, and Group C and D were tightened to 32 Ncm torque. Detorque values were measured with digital torque gauge during repeated closing and opening experiment. Results. Abutment screws with TiN coating (Group B and D) showed statistically significant higher mean detorque values than those of Group A and C. Discussion. Physical properties of TiN coating, such as low friction coefficient, high hardness and wear resistance, might contribute to higher detorque values. Conclusion. It is suggested that TiN coating of abutment screw help to reduce the risk of screw loosening and improve the stability of screw joint.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.519-531
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• 2003

Statement of problem : Chronic implant screw loosening remains a problem in restorative practices. Some implant manufactureres have introduced abutment screws with treated material, surfaces and macrostructures in an effort to reduce potential loosening. Purpose : This study evaluated the materials and loading cycles on detorque value after dynamic continous fatigue test in the sinulated conditions of posterior single restoration. Material and method : Fourteen of each of the following abutment screws - titanium alloy, gold alloy, gold-tite, and titanium alloy modified - were used in test. SEM is used to verify macrostructures of each screws. $ZrO_2/Al_2O_3$ composite abutment was tightened on $4{\times}10.0mm$ titanium external implant at 30 Ncm. Cyclic loading machine delivered dynamic loading forces between 20 and 320N for 100,000, 200,000, 300,000, 500,000, and 1,000,000 cycles at frequencies 14Hz. Torque and detorque value after loading was measured. Results : All measued screws had different screw length and thread form. Titanium modified screw had greater detorque value than others before and after cyclic loadings(p<0.05). All abutment screws had no significant change in mean percentage of detorque value after loading to initial value after less than 500.000 cyclic loadings, but significant lower value after 1,000,000 cycles(p<0.05). Conclusion : Within limintations of this study all abutment screws may be loosend after about 1 year use. Annual check-up is nessasary to prevent screw loosening.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.258-263
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• 2005

Statement of problem. Implant screw loosening has been remained a problem in implant prosthodontics. The time needed to insert screw driver into abutment screw head should be shortened for the purpose of decreasing the chair time. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the design of abutment screw driver on the amount of time for insertion of screw driver into abutment screw head. Material and methods. Hexagonal and rectangular types of abutment screw drivers were used. The original abutment screw drivers were modified by grinding acute angle of the screw driver tip (modified drivers). Group 1 : hexagonal type abutment screw and original driver Group 2 : hexagonal type abutment screw and modified driver Group 3 : rectangular type abutment screw and original driver Group 4 : rectangular type abutment screw and modified driver UCLA lab analogues were located in acrylic resin block. The angulations of them were 0 and 20 degrees. The times needed for insertion were measured. Group 1 and 3 were used as controls. Results. 1. Group 2 showed shorter insertion time than group 1, regardless of implant angulations (p<.05). 2. Group 4 showed shorter insertion time than group 3, regardless of implant angulations (p<.05). Conclusion. Modified abutment screw drivers required less amount of time to insert screw driver into abutment screw head. Modification of abutment screw driver was beneficial.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to examine the abutment screw stability of screw- and cement-retained implant-supported dental prosthesis (SCP) after simulated cement washout as well as the stability of SCP cements after complete loosening of abutment screws. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty-six titanium CAD/CAM-made implant prostheses were fabricated on two implants placed in the resin models. Each prosthesis is a two-unit SCP: one screw-retained and the other cemented. After evaluating the passive fit of each prosthesis, all implant prostheses were randomly divided into 3 groups: screwed and cemented SCP (Control), screwed and non-cemented SCP (Group 1), unscrewed and cemented SCP (Group 2). Each prosthesis in Control and Group 1 was screwed and/or cemented, and the preloading reverse torque value (RTV) was evaluated. SCP in Group 2 was screwed and cemented, and then unscrewed (RTV=0) after the cement was set. After cyclic loading was applied, the postloading RTV was measured. RTV loss and decementation ratios were calculated for statistical analysis. RESULTS. There was no significant difference in RTV loss ratio between Control and Group 1 (P=.16). No decemented prosthesis was found among Control and Group 2. CONCLUSION. Within the limits of this in vitro study, the stabilities of SCP abutment screws and cement were not significantly changed after simulated cement washout or screw loosening.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.379-392
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• 2005

Statement of problem. One of the common problems of dental implant prosthesis is the loosening of the screw that connects each component, and this problem is more common in single implant-supported prostheses with external connection, and in molars. Purpose. The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare the initial abutment screw detorque values of the six different implant-abutment interface designs, (2) to compare the detorque values of the six different implant-abutment interface designs after cyclic loading, (3) to compare the detorque values of regular and wide diameter implants and (4) to compare the initial detorque values with the detorque values after cyclic loading. Material and methods. Six different implant-abutment connection systems were used. The cement retained abutment and titanium screw of each system were assembled and tightened to 32Ncm with digital torque gauge. After 10 minutes, initial detorque values were measured. The custom titanium crown were cemented temporarily and a cyclic sine curve load(20 to 320N, 14Hz) was applied. The detorque values were measured after cyclic loading of one million times by loading machine. One-way ANOVA test, scheffe’s test and Mann-Whitney U test were used. Results. The results were as follows : 1. The initial detorque values of six different implant-abutment connections were not significantly different(p>0.05). 2. The detorque values after one million dynamic cyclic loading were significantly different (p<0.05). 3. The SS-II regular and wide implant both recorded the higher detorque values than other groups after cyclic loading(p<0.05). 4. Of the wide implants, the initial detorque values of Avana Self Tapping Implant, MIS and Tapered Screw Vent, and the detorque values of MIS implant after cyclic loading were higher than their regular counterparts(p<0.05). 5. After cyclic loading, SS-II regular and wide implants showed higher detorque values than before(p<0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2003

Statement of problem : Implant screw loosening remains a problem in implant prosthodontics. Some abutment screws with treated surfaces were introduced to prevent screw loosening and to increase preload. DLC(Diamond Like Carbon) film has similar properties on hardness, wear resistance, chemical stability, biocompatibility as real diamond materials. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lubricant layer on abutment screw and to discriminate more effective method between soft lubricant and hard lubricant to prevent screw loosening. Material and method : In this study, $1{\mu}m$ thickness DLC was used as protective, lubricating layer of titanium screws and 3 times removal torque was measured on the abutment screws to investigate the difference in 10 coated and 10 non-coated abutment screws. Results : The results indicated that the implants with DLC coating group were not more resistant to the applied force in screw loosening. At 32Ncm, the 3 times removal torque in DLC group were $27.75{\pm}2.89,\;25.85{\pm}2.35$ and $26.2{\pm}2.57$. The removal torque in no-coated abutment screws were $27.85{\pm}4.23,\;27.35{\pm}2.81$ and $27.9{\pm}2.31$, respectively. Conclusion : The lubricant layer used in this study was Diamond Like Carbon(DLC) and it have a properties of hard and stable layer. The DLC coating layer was hard enough to prevent distortion of screws in the repeated unscrewing procedure in clinical situation. The reduced friction coefficient in hard DLC layer was not effective to prevent screw loosening.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.67 no.10
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• pp.1375-1381
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• 2018

In this paper, we studied coatings of the DLC thin film for improving loosening torque of dental implant screw. We used a filtered arc ion plating process which can realize the most dense DLC layer by coating the DLC thin film on the surface of the dental abutment screw. It showed both hardness comparable to diamond and low friction coefficient similar to graphite, and to improve the loosening phenomenon by increasing the screw tightening force Cr/CrN, Ti/TiN or Ti/TiN/Cr/CrN buffer layers were deposited for 5 to 10 minutes to improve the adhesion of the DLC thin film to the surface of the Ti (Gr.5), and then the DLC thin film was coated for about 15 minutes. As a result, the Cr/CrN buffer layer exhibited the highest hardness of 29.7 GPa, the adhesion of 18.62N on average, and a very low coefficient of friction of less than 0.2 as a whole. And we measured loosening torque after one million times with masticatory movement simulator. As a result, the values of the coated screw loosening torque were clearly higher than those of the uncoated screw. From this, it was found that the DLC coating was effective methods improving the loosening torque. In addition, it was confirmed that the cytotoxicity test and cell adhesion test showed high biocompatibility.