Detorque force of TiN-coated abutment screw with various coating thickness after repeated closing and opening

Kim, Han Su; Kim, Hee Jung; Chung, Chae Heon

Abstract

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: When TiN coating is applied to the abutment screw, occurrence of greater preload and prevention of the screw loosening could be expected due to decrease of frictional resistance. However, the proper thickness of TiN coating on abutment screw has not been yet reported. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find out the appropriate TiN coating thickness by evaluating the detorque force and the surface change of titanium abutment screw with various TiN coating thickness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1. Material Thirty five non-coated abutment screws were prepared for TiN coating. TiN coatings were prepared by Arc ion plating method. Depending on the coating deposition time(CDT), experimental groups were divided into 6 groups(CDT 30min, 60min, 90min, 120min, 150min, 180min) and those of 1 group was not coated as a control group. Each group was made up of 5 abutment screws. 2. Methods FE-SEM(Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscoper) and EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) were used to observe the surface of the abutment screw. Electric scales was used to measure the weight of the abutment screw after the repeated closing and opening of 10 trials. Detorque force was measured with digital torque gauge, at each trial.
RESULTS
1. As the coating deposition time increased, the surface became more consistent and smooth. 2. As for the abutment screws that were TiN coated for more than 60 minutes, no surface change was found after the repeated closing and opening. 3. The TiN coated abutment screws showed less weight change than the non-coated abutment screws. 4. The TiN coated abutment screws showed higher mean detorque force than the noncoated abutment screws. 5. The abutment screw coated for 60 minutes showed the highest mean detorque force.
CONCLUSION
The coating layer of proper thickness is demanded to obtain consistent and smooth coating surface, resistance to wear, and increased detorque force of the abutment screw. In conclusion, the coating deposition time of 60 minutes indicated improved mechanical property, when TiN coating was conducted on titanium abutment screw.