Bacterial Leakage in Morse Cone Internal Connection Implants Using Different Torque Values: An In Vitro Study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether there was a decrease of bacterial leakage with increasing torque values in conical Morse Cone connection implants. METHODS: A total of 30 Morse Cone conical tapered implants (10 implants per group) were used in this study. The abutments were connected to the implants with 20 N (group 1), 30 N (group 2), and 40 N (group 3) insertion torque values. The inner parts of 5 implants, per group, were inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa suspension and the remaining 5 implants, per group, with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The penetration of bacteria into the surrounding solution was determined by the observation of turbidity of the broth. RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2, bacterial contamination was found in 2 of the 10 implants, only in the specimens seeded with P. aeruginosa. In group 3, no contaminated samples were found.