Effects of Blood Contamination and Decontamination Protocol on Reverse Torque Value of Abutment Screws in Dental Implants: An In Vitro Study

Background and Objective: Loosening of abutment screws in dental implants is a mechanical complication that affects prosthetic treatments and hence, patient satisfaction. Blood contamination of abutment screws may play a role in this phenomenon. However, only limited research attention has been given to this issue. In the present study, we determined the effect of blood contamination and decontamination protocol on the reverse torque value (RTV) of abutment screws. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was sent to 210 implantologists requesting feedback on their attitude to the blood contamination issue and the decontamination protocols used. The survey responses were used in a selection of the decontamination solutions that were used in the subsequent in vitro study on the effects of blood decontamination protocol on the RTV of abutment screws. Thus, three study groups were used (n = 20 abutment screws in each group): Group 1 (control group; blood-contaminated screws); Group 2 (screws decontaminated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution); and Group 3 (screws decontaminated with normal saline solution (0.9%)). Then, each of the connections were subjected to thermocycling, and RTVs of the screw were measured using a digital torque meter. Intragroup and intergroup RTVs were analyzed for significance using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) tests. Results: 48% of the implantologists responded to the survey; 80% of them were concerned with blood contamination in the implant connection, especially before abutment loading and 85% of them used either chlorhexidine solution or normal saline solution as the decontamination agent. The mean RTV for Group 2 screws (30.27 ± 2.8 N.cm) was significantly greater than that for Group 3 screws (26.02 ± 1.99 N.cm) which, in turn, was significantly greater than that for Group 1 screws (23.64 ± 1.84 N.cm). Conclusion: Decontamination of blood-covered connections using 5.25% NaOCl solution or normal saline solution restores the RTV of abutment screws. This finding may have clinical relevance in that the decontaminated screws may contribute to the low incidence of screw loosening and, ultimately, improved patient satisfaction.