Name
#80 Evaluating Coating and Connection Influence on Clamping Force and Reuse Potential of Prosthetic Implant Screws
Speakers
Content Presented On Behalf Of:
Navy
Session Type
Poster
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Start Time
5:00 PM
End Time
7:00 PM
Location
Prince Georges Expo Hall E
Focus Areas/Topics
Clinical Care
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand how screw surface coating affects clamping force and preload stability in implant–abutment connections.
2. Recognize the potential influence of cyclic loading on joint adaptation and long-term screw stability.
3. Evaluate clinical decision-making considerations regarding screw reuse and maintenance protocols.
2. Recognize the potential influence of cyclic loading on joint adaptation and long-term screw stability.
3. Evaluate clinical decision-making considerations regarding screw reuse and maintenance protocols.
Session Currently Live
Description
Maintaining the integrity of the implant–abutment connection is critical to the long-term stability of implant-supported restorations. The preload generated by the prosthetic screw is a key factor in minimizing micromotion and screw loosening, and surface coatings have been introduced to improve the frictional characteristics and clamping efficiency of these components. While empirical data exists on the in vivo reuse and retightening of prosthetic screws and the long-term stability of the implant-abutment connection, there is limited research on how screw reuse and cyclic loading influence long-term clamping force retention across implant systems and connection designs. This study aimed to evaluate changes in clamping force, specifically in coated and uncoated prosthetic screws from two major implant manufacturers, across internal and external hex configurations under simulated masticatory loading.
A total of 40 samples were tested: 20 ZimVie and 20 Nobel Biocare implants, with equal representation of internal and external hex connections and coated versus uncoated screws (n = 5 per subgroup). The initial clamping force was recorded after applying the manufacturer’s recommended seating torque (ZimVie: 20 Ncm; Nobel Biocare: 35 Ncm) using a custom designed clamping gauge. Samples were then subjected to 750,000 chewing cycles in a dynamic loading simulator, with clamping force re-measured at 250,000-cycle intervals.
Preliminary results show that coated screws consistently generated higher clamping forces than uncoated screws, even when identical seating torques were applied. Across all groups, the clamping force measured after 750,000 chewing cycles remained statistically the same when compared to the initial clamping force.
These results highlight two clinical considerations. First, coated screws may provide superior and more consistent clamping force, and second, that repeated use of prosthetic screws in the implant-abutment complex may provide sufficient clamping force for the stability of the system even when exposed to cyclic loading. Further studies should seek to standardize the clamping force measurement technique and attempt to elucidate the direct effects of cyclic loading on clamping force with screw reuse.