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Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences) ›› 2026, Vol. 58 ›› Issue (1): 84-88. doi: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167X.2026.01.011

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Impact of ultrasonic scaling on abutment screw torque in implant restorations

Yi TANG1, Xuezhu ZHAO1, Xu YANG1, Huimei JIA1, Yunsong LIU2,*()   

  1. 1. Second Clinical Division, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
    2. Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
  • Received:2025-09-24 Online:2026-02-18 Published:2025-11-27
  • Contact: Yunsong LIU
  • Supported by:
    the Youth Beijing Scholars Program(089-2024); the National Center of Stomatology Suitable Technology Promotion Project(2023-NCSHTP-04)

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Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the effect of ultrasonic scaling on the torque of implant prosthetic abutment screws and to compare the differences in torque influence between ultrasonic tips of two different materials. Methods: In this study, a total of 22 implants were selected, and two distinct primary torque values (PTV) 15 N·cm and 35 N·cm were applied to the temporary and definitive restorations mounted on each implant, respectively. Subsequently, ultrasonic scaling was performed for one minute using either a traditional metal scaling tip (metal tip) or a carbon fiber scaling tip (fiber tip), followed by measurement of the removal torque value (RTV). Paired t-tests were used to compare the torque changes in the same prosthesis before and after ultrasonic scaling (significance level α=0.05, two-tailed) to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic scaling on torque. Under the same PTV condition, paired t-tests were also conducted to compare the RTV after scaling with different tips to analyze the influence of the tip material on RTV. Results: The RTVs in all the four groups were significantly lower than the corresponding PTVs after ultrasonic scaling (P < 0.05). At a PTV of 15 N·cm, the RTV of the fiber tip group was (14.1±1.27) N·cm, significantly higher than that of the metal tip group (12.3±1.56) N·cm, (P < 0.05). At a PTV of 35 N·cm, the RTV of the fiber tip group was (34.0±1.29) N·cm, while that of the metal tip group was (33.1±1.70) N·cm, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasonic scaling can lead to significant attenuation of torque in implant prosthetic abutment screws. Under a lower primary torque condition (15 N·cm), carbon fiber scaling tips significantly reduce torque attenuation compared with traditional metal scaling tips. However, under a higher primary torque condition (35 N·cm), no significant difference in the effect on screw torque was observed between the two tip types. These findings suggest that screw torque should be checked after clinical peri-implant maintenance to reduce the risk of screw loosening.

Key words: Ultrasonic scaling, Screw loosening, Torque attenuation, Removal torque value

CLC Number: 

  • R783.6

Figure 1

Measurement of torque values via the implant motor A, the temporary prothesis was tightened to a primary torque value (PTV) of 15 N·cm by the implant motor; B, following one minute of scaling, the removal torque value (RTV) was determined by reversing the motor to loosen the central screw and recording the peak torque encountered."

Figure 2

Attenuation of screw torque after ultrasonic scaling * P < .05, * *P < .01, * * *P < .001. PTV, primary torque value; RTV, removal torque value."

Figure 3

Effect of fiber and metal tips on screw torque attenuation A, at a primary torque of 15 N·cm, ultrasonic scaling with a fiber tip resulted in significantly less torque attenuation compared to a metal tip; B, at a primary torque of 35 N·cm, no statistically significant difference in torque attenuation was observed between the two tips. * *P < .01."

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