Relationship between insertion torque and removal torque analyzed in fresh temporal bone.

Insertion torque and removal torque of fixtures were measured using human cadaver temporal bone and human living bone. The torque level for fracturing the threads of the bone was also measured. The maximum insertion torque exerted without causing a break in bone threads was 70.0 Ncm in bicortical bone and 50.0 Ncm in unicortical bone. The relationship between insertion torque and removal torque indicated a positive correlation between both sites. However, removal torque was lower than insertion torque in all measurements. The fracture points of bone threads were 77.0 Ncm in bicortical bone and 57.7 Ncm in unicortical bone by mean. Microfractures were observed mainly in the thread bases and were directed upward in the histologic specimens examined.