Background and purpose
The internal screw has an essential role in carrying abutment and prosthesis loading. Some dental implant patients such as scuba divers, mineworkers, and hyperbaric oxygen patients are exposed to hyperbaric atmospheres. The aim of this study was to investigate internal screw loosening under hyperbaric conditions.
Materials and methods
Forty‐two dental implants were placed into plexiglass blocks. Abutments were fixed with internal screws by 25 Ncm torque force. Groups were set as control, 2.8‐bar air pressure, and 4‐bar air pressure groups. Hyperbaric groups were subdivided and exposed to either one or six cycles. Removal torque values were measured with a digital torque meter. Data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance and Tamhane's T2 tests, considering p < 0.05 as the level of statistical significance. Internal screw threads were qualitatively observed under magnification.
Results
Four‐bar groups showed the lowest removal torque values among all groups (p < 0.001). 2.8‐Bar groups did not show significant differences compared with control groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the one and six pressure cycle subgroups in each group. All internal screw threads had various deformations.
Conclusion
Four‐bar air pressure had a significant effect on internal screw loosening. Internal screw tightening protocols should be reconsidered for patients exposed to advanced hyperbaric conditions.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has beneficial effects for patients complaining of poor bone healing such as related to diabetes mellitus. However, it is known that changing pressure conditions might cause dental barotrauma in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate implant mechanical stability under HBOT pressure. Thirty-five implants were placed in bone blocks divided into five groups as control, 1, 3, 5, 7 HBOT cycles. In one cycle, 2.4 bar 100% oxygen pressure was performed. Implants’ stabilities were measured with resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and removal torque (RT) meter device. Data were analyzed using Shapiro Wilk, ANOVA, and Tukey HSD tests for RFA and RT values considering p < 0.05 as the statistical significance level. RFA and RT values were compared by Pearson correlation coefficiency. RFA values of 5 and 7 HBOT cycles were significantly lower than 1, 3 HBOT and control group (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between 5 and 7 HBOT cycles RFA values. HBOT pressure simulation slightly but statistically decreased the stability for the implants exposed to 5 and 7 HBOT cycles.
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