Determination of the Optimum Torque to Tighten the Smartpegs of Magnetic Resonance Frequency Analyses Devices: An Ex Vivo Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find an optimal value for tightening the Smartpegs for magnetic radiofrequency analysis devices (RFAs) devices. Thirty implants were placed in 3 cow ribs. The RFA value of each implant was measured in buccal and mesial directions after tightening the Smartpegs with 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 Ncm. Additionally, 4 different examiners measured the RFA after hand tightening the Smartpegs, and the results were compared. The buccal implant stability quotient (ISQ) values when the Smartpegs were tightened to 1Ncm were significantly lower than the ISQ values when the Smartpegs were tightened to 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 Ncm (P < .05). The mesial ISQ values when the Smartpegs were tightened to 1, 3, and 4 Ncm were significantly lower than the ISQ values when the Smartpegs were tightened with higher torque values (P < .05). The buccal measurements made by 1 examiner was significantly lower than 3 Ncm (P < .05), and the buccal measurements made by 1 examiner was significantly lower than 4 Ncm (P < .05). The mesial ISQ values measured by 2 examiners were significantly lower than 3 Ncm (P < .05), and the mesial ISQ values measured by the other 2 examiners were significantly lower than 8 Ncm (P < .05). The tightening of the Smartpegs should be standardized by the manufacturer to a range of 5-8 Ncm in order to gain reliable objective RFA values, instead of leaving it to subjective finger pressure.