• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 2001

Statement of problem. There have been previous studies about instability according to screw material by means of calculating preload in tightening screw or recording of the torque necessary to loosen screw after tightening screw. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate screw joint stability through the analysis of fitness at the mating thread surfaces between implant and screw after tightening screws made of different materials. Material and methods. In this study, screws were respectively used to secure a cemented abutment to a hexlock implant fixture; teflon coated titanium alloy screw and titanium alloy screw(Steri-Oss), gold-plated gold-palladium alloy screw and titanium alloy screw(Implant Innovation), gold screw and titanium screw(AVANA Dental Implant System). Each abutment screw was secured to the implant with recommended torque value using a digital torque controller. Each screw was again tightened after 10minutes. All samples were cross sectioned with sandpaper and polished. Then samples were evaluated with an scanning electron microscope analysis. Results. In titanium alloy screw, irregular contact and relatively large gap was present at mating thread surface. Also in teflon-coated titanium screw, incomplete seating and only partially contact was present at the mating thread surface. In gold-plated gold-palladium alloy screw, relatively close and tight contact without the presence of large gap was present by existing of gold coating at the mating thread surfaces. In gold alloy screw, relatively small gap between the mating components was seen. Conclusions. This result suggested that gold plated gold-palladium alloy screw and gold alloy screw achieved a greater degree of contact at the mating thread surfaces compared to titanium alloy screw and teflon-coated titanium alloy screw.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.366-375
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• 2001

The objective of this study was to investigate the surface contact and screw joint stability between screw and implant interface by use of sealer. The implants evaluated in this study were Steri-Oss futures(Hexlock $3.8D{\times}10mm$: Steri-Oss, Yorba Linda, CA), and Steri-Oss staight abutment. Titanium alloy screws were used to secure abutments to implants. The other titanium alloy screws applicating sealer(Impla-Seal, Implant Support Systems, Inc. Irvine, CA) were used to secure abutments to implants. In one another sample, 6kg of force was applied during simulated intraoral movements after abutment screws were secured to the implants with sealer. All samples were cross sectioned with sandpaper and polished with $0.1{\mu}m\;Al_2O_3$. Then samples were recorded with an scanning electron microscope. The results were as follows : 1. In the case of titanium alloy screw, irregular contacts and relatively large gap were present at thread mating surface. Also abutment screw/implant interface demonstrate incomplete seating and only one surface contact of threads between implant and screw. 2. In the case of titanium alloy screw applecating sealer, sealer was present between implant and screw. Therefore implant and screw had relatively close and tight contact without the presence of large gap. 3. On the other hand, in the case of titanium alloy screw applicating sealer and dynamic loading of suprastructures, sealer was partially present between implant and screw. Conclusively, sealer fills voids, creating a barrier to moisture and bacteria. In addition, loading of suprastructures may change the situation and limit the indications for gap sealing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2009

Statement of problem: Loosening or fracture of the abutment screw is one of the common problems related to the dental implant. Generally, in order to make the screw joint stable, the preload generated by tightening torque needs to be increased within the elastic limit of the screw. However, additional tensile forces can produce the plastic deformation of abutment screw when functional loads are superimposed on preload stresses, and they can elicit loosening or fracture of the abutment screw. Therefore, it is necessary to find the optimum tightening torque that maximizes a fatigue life and simultaneously offer a reasonable degree of protection against loosening. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present the influence of tightening torque on the implant-abutment screw joint stability with the 3 dimensional finite element analysis. Material and methods: In this study, the finite element model of the implant system with external butt joint connection was designed and verified by comparison with additional theoretical and experimental results. Four different amount of tightening torques(10, 20, 30 and 40 Ncm) and the external loading(250 N, $30^{\circ}$) were applied to the model, and the equivalent stress distributions and the gap distances were calculated according to each tightening torque and the result was analyzed. Results: Within the limitation of this study, the following results were drawn; 1) There was the proportional relation between the tightening torque and the preload. 2) In case of applying only the tightening torque, the maximum stress was found at the screw neck. 3) The maximum stress was also shown at the screw neck under the external loading condition. However in case of applying 10 Ncm tightening torque, it was found at the undersurface of the screw head. 4) The joint opening was observed under the external loading in case of applying 10 Ncm and 20 Ncm of tightening torque. 5) When the tightening torque was applied at 40 Ncm, under the external loading the maximum stress exceeded the allowable stress value of the titanium alloy. Conclusion: Implant abutment screw must have a proper tightening torque that will be able to maintain joint stability of fixture and abutment.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2006

Statement of problem: One of common problems associated with single teeth dental implant prosthetic is the loosening of screws that retain the implants. Purpose: The maintenance of screw joint stability is considered a function of the preload achieved in the screw when the suggested initial tightening torque is applied. The purpose of this study was to investigate acquired preload after initial clamping torque for estimating screw joint stability. Material and methods: A comparative study on the effect of initial clamping of two types of implant systems with different connections was conducted Three dimensional non-linear finite element analysis is adopted to compare the characteristics of screw preloads and stress distributions between two different types of implant systems composed with abutment, screw, and fixture under the same loading and boundary conditions. Results: 1. When the initial clamping torque of 32Ncm was applied to the implant systems, all types of implants generated the maximum effective stress at the first helix region of screw. 2. Morse taper connection types of implants generate lower stress distributions compared to those by butt joint connection types or implants due to large contact surface between abutment and fixture. 3. The internal types of implant systems with friction grip type implant systems have higher resistance to screw loosening than that of the external types of implant systems since the internal types of implant systems generated larger preload than that generated by the external types for the same tightening moments.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.157-169
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of implant abutment screw coating treatment on joint stability, investigating mechanical properties of these. For this study used $ExFeel^{(R)}$ external hexed implant system and $15mm{\times}1mm$ discs. Experimental group was $1{\mu}m$ TiN, TiCN, TiC coated abutment screws and discs. To know mechanical property, i evaluated adhesion strength, surface hardness, using disc, corrosion test using screw. The results were as follows : rotation angle of coated screws increased than that of non-coated screw because of lower friction coefficient, especially TiC coated screw group had the largest value, but removal torque decreased in all coated screws (p<0.05). Torque loss before and after fatigue test was the smallest in TiC-coated screws, and the largest in non-coated screws (p<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between dry condition and wet condition of screws because of higher surface hardness and lower friction coefficient. From the above results, TiN, TiCN, TiC coating group had high abrasion resistance, especially TiC coated group which had low torque-consuming, high rotation angle as low friction coefficient will be considered to influence on implant abutment screw joint stability positively.

• 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.46 no.4
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• pp.396-408
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• 2008

Statement of problem: Within the elastic limit of the screw, the greater the preload, the tighter and more secure the screw joint. However, additional tensile forces can incur plastic deformation of the abutment screw when functional loads are superimposed on preload stresses, and they can elicit the loosening or fracture of the abutment screw. Therefore, it is necessary to find the optimum preload that will maximize fatigue life and simultaneously offer a reasonable degree of protection against loosening. Another critical factor in addition to the applied torque which can affect the amount of preload is the joint connection type between implant and abutment. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of tightening torque on the implant-abutment screw joint stability. Material and methods: Respectively, three different amount of tightening torque (20, 30, and 40 Ncm) were applied to implant systems with three different joint connections, one external butt joint and two internal cones. The initial removal torque value and the postload (cyclic loading up to 100,000 cycles) removal torque value of the abutment screw were measured with digital torque gauge. Then rate of the initial and the postload removal torque loss were calculated for the comparison of the effect of tightening torques and joint connection types between implant and abutment on the joint stability. Results and conclusion: 1. Increase in tightening torque value resulted in significant increase in initial and postload removal torque value in all implant systems (P < .05). 2. Initial removal torque loss rates in SS II system were not significantly different when three different tightening torque values were applied (P > .05), however GS II and US II systems exhibited significantly lower loss rates with 40 Ncm torque value than with 20 Ncm (P < .05). 3. In all implant systems, postload removal torque loss rates were lowest when the torque value of 30 Ncm was applied (P < .05). 4. Postload removal torque loss rates tended to increase in order of SS II, GS II and US II system. 5. There was no correlation between initial removal torque value and postload removal torque loss rate (P > .05).

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of the implant-abutment connection design and diameter on the screw joint stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Regular and wide-diameter implant systems with three different joint connection designs: an external butt joint, a one-stage internal cone, and a two-stage internal cone were divided into seven groups (n=5, in each group). The initial removal torque values of the abutment screw were measured with a digital torque gauge. The postload removal torque values were measured after 100,000 cycles of a 150 N and a 10 Hz cyclic load had been applied. Subsequently, the rates of the initial and postload removal torque losses were calculated to evaluate the effect of the joint connection design and diameter on the screw joint stability. Each group was compared using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test as post-hoc test (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. The postload removal torque value was high in the following order with regard to magnitude: two-stage internal cone, one-stage internal cone, and external butt joint systems. In the regular-diameter group, the external butt joint and one-stage internal cone systems showed lower postload removal torque loss rates than the two-stage internal cone system. In the wide-diameter group, the external butt joint system showed a lower loss rate than the one-stage internal cone and two-stage internal cone systems. In the two-stage internal cone system, the wide-diameter group showed a significantly lower loss rate than the regular-diameter group (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The results of this study showed that the external butt joint was more advantageous than the internal cone in terms of the postload removal torque loss. For the difference in the implant diameter, a wide diameter was more advantageous in terms of the torque loss rate.

• 대한치과보철학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2002

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2010

Purpose: This article attempted to determine the factors affecting the preload and screw loosening. Methods: Available clinical studies from 1981 to 2008 from the PUBMED that presented screw loosening data and review articles regarding screw joint stability were evaluated. Eleven studies dealing the biomechanical principles of the screw mechanics were reviewed. Moreover, the results of our data were included. Results: The frequency of screw loosening was consequently reduced due to the advancement in torque tightening with torque wrench, screw material, coating technique for reducing the frictional force, and thread design, etc. If preload in the screw falls below a critical level, joint stability may be compromised, and the screw joint may fail clinically. The types of fatigue failure of screw were divided to adhesive wear, plastic deformation, and screw fracture. Conclusion: An optimum preload is essential to the success of the implant-abutment complex. To maintain optimum preload, using a torque wrench and re-tightening at recall time were needed.