Determining Final Torque Values: How To Apply the Guidelines?
Dr. O. asks:
When a dental implant manufacturer publishes guidelines for determining the final torque value for their abutment screw, does that apply to when the screw and implant threads are dry or wet?
If it applies to when the threads are dry, shouldn’t the torque value be constant and not vary? If it applies to when the threads are wet, the torque value will vary with the medium wetting the threads.
Also, if you put a sealing agent on the threads – as some doctors do to prevent microbiologic leakage and contamination – shouldn’t the torque value should be lowered because the threads will glide more easily against each other. In this situation, the doctor has to take this into account or he will overtorque and possibly break the abutment screw. Finally, should the torque values be the same for gold, gold plated or titanium screws?
