Effect of Loading Angles on Abutment Screw Loosening: In Vitro Study.

ABSTRACT Aim Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Biomechanical performance is a critical factor in the long‐term success of dental implants, with abutment screw loosening being a common clinical issue. This study aimed to examine the impact of abutment screw design and external load loading angles on abutment screw loosening.Abutments and abutment screws with 30°, 60°, 90°, and 180° fitting tapers were fabricated and tested for preload and initial loosening torque. Subsequently, dynamic loosening tests were conducted at loading angles of 15°, 30°, and 45°. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to calculate the stress and strain distribution of the abutment screws.The findings indicated that large‐taper abutment screws exhibit a higher preload, whereas small‐taper abutment screws demonstrate greater loosening torque values. Additionally, as the loading angle increases, the loosening torque value decreases, and the stress and strain values of the abutment screw increase.Abutment screws with smaller taper heads exhibited superior resistance to loosening. Moreover, the anti‐loosening performance of the abutment screws decreased with higher external load loading angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]