Effects of infection control procedures on the accuracy of a new mechanical torque wrench system for implant restorations.

Loosening of screw components for implant restorations has been attributed to insufficient tightening. The degree of tightening may be increased and more closely controlled by use of calibrated mechanical torque wrenches. The DynaTorq wrench system has been introduced to the market and consists of three individual wrenches with torque values of 10, 20, and 30 newton-centimeters (Ncm). This study evaluated the accuracy of the DynaTorq wrench system before and after steam autoclave and Chemiclave sterilization treatment. Before sterilization treatments, the wrenches demonstrated high accuracy and precision. Autoclaving resulted in increases in torque values for the 10 Ncm torque wrench compared with baseline measurements. Except for the effect of autoclaving on the 10 Ncm torque wrench, sterilization procedures did not adversely affect the accuracy of the DynaTorq torque wrench system.