Comparison of original and universal screwdrivers: Damage to the surface of the socket within the screw head of the abutment screw

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential damage the usage of universal screwdrivers could cause to the abutment screw. In this study the original versus the universal screwdriver have been compared. 26 original abutment screws, 13 from Straumann and 13 from BEGO, were screwed in with the original and the universal screwdriver. For optical evaluation, the potential damage to the screw head was documented in two different areas. For this purpose, photos were taken with a scanning electron microscope. At Straumann, surface damage was only seen in area 1 (top of the screw head) when using the universal screwdriver. BEGO showed surface damage in area 1 regardless of which screwdriver was used and in area 2 (bottom of the screw head) when using the universal screwdriver. It can be assumed that the use of the original screwdriver might cause little or no damage to the screw heads. In contrast, based on the SEM images, it can be assumed that the surface can be damaged when using the universal screwdriver.