Dental Implant Driver Size Guide: Complete Compatibility Chart for Every Major Implant System
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Somebody else placed the implant. The patient does not know the brand. The screw is loose, the crown is rocking, and you are standing chairside holding a driver that almost fits.
"Almost" is how screw heads get stripped.
This guide gives you the driver size and connection type for every major implant system, with a chart for 30+ brands, so you can find the right driver in seconds instead of by trial and error. Use Ctrl+F to jump straight to your brand.
Quick answer: Most implant systems use an internal hex driver, and two sizes cover the majority of them: 1.2 mm (Osstem, Biomet 3i, Dio, Megagen) and 1.25 to 1.27 mm (Zimmer, BioHorizons, MIS, Dentium, Astra). Straumann uses its own SCS driver, and Nobel Biocare uses its own Unigrip driver. Xive (0.9 mm), Ankylos (1.0 mm), and ICX (1.4 mm) are the outliers.
Every driver in this chart, in one instrument: the Taft Variable Torque Driver ships with 16 tips (0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.25, 1.27, 1.4 hex, plus Nobel and Straumann-style, each in short and long), a right-angle head for posterior access, and six click-stop torque settings from 10 to 35 Ncm. $439 direct, 60-day money-back guarantee. See the kit and full tip list.
Quick Navigation: Jump to Your Implant System (Ctrl+F)
- Nobel Biocare Driver Sizes
- Straumann/ITI Driver Sizes
- BioHorizons Driver Sizes
- Zimmer Biomet Driver Sizes
- Dentsply Sirona Driver Sizes
- Osstem Driver Sizes
- MIS Implants Driver Sizes
- Dentium Driver Sizes
- Megagen Driver Sizes
- Hiossen Driver Sizes
- Complete Alphabetical Reference Table
- Which Taft Driver Tip Fits Which System
Understanding Implant Driver Connection Types
Before you look up a brand, know the three connection families. Identify the family and you are most of the way to the right driver. For how to tell tips apart by sight and feel, see how to identify an implant driver tip.
A note on torque: this guide covers driver sizes only. Torque values vary by implant system, component, and product generation, so always use the value in the implant manufacturer's instructions for use.
Hexagonal (Hex) Connections
Six-sided geometry, and by far the most common family. The sizes you will actually run into:
- 0.9 mm (0.035") Hex: Xive
- 1.0 mm (0.039") Hex: Ankylos
- 1.2 mm (0.047") Hex: Osstem, Biomet 3i, Dio, Megagen
- 1.25 mm (0.050") Hex: Zimmer, BioHorizons, MIS, Dentium
- 1.27 mm (0.050") Hex: Astra, Dentsply variations
- 1.4 mm (0.055") Hex: ICX, specialty systems
The 1.2 mm and 1.25 mm sizes look nearly identical by eye. They are not interchangeable. A 1.2 mm driver in a 1.25 mm screw head will spin before it seats, and that is how a screw head gets rounded out.
Torx/Star Connections (SCS)
A star-shaped driver geometry that grips on more contact points than a hex, which helps resist cam-out. Primary use:
- Straumann SCS (Screw Connection System): Straumann bone level and tissue level implants
- ITI-compatible systems: manufacturers offering Straumann-compatible connections
Unigrip Connections
Nobel Biocare's proprietary driver design, used across its systems and some Nobel-compatible brands. It is not interchangeable with hex or SCS drivers.
- Nobel Biocare Unigrip: Brånemark System, NobelReplace, NobelActive, NobelParallel
Nobel Biocare Implant Systems
Connection Type: Unigrip (Proprietary)
Nobel Biocare restorations need a dedicated Unigrip-style driver. A hex driver will not engage the screw properly.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brånemark System (NP) | Unigrip/Star | N/A (proprietary) | 20-21mm | 26-34mm |
| Brånemark System (RP) | Unigrip/Star | N/A (proprietary) | 21mm | 26-34mm |
| Brånemark System (WP) | Unigrip/Star | N/A (proprietary) | N/A | 26mm |
| NobelReplace (All platforms) | Unigrip/Star | N/A (proprietary) | Short | Long |
| Nobel Active | Unigrip/Star | N/A (proprietary) | Short | Long |
| NobelPearl | Inter-X/Unigrip | N/A (proprietary) | 20mm | 25mm |
| Nobel Parallel | Unigrip/Star | N/A (proprietary) | Short | Long |
Taft tip: NOB (Nobel-style), included short and long with the Variable Torque Driver.
Clinical note: Verify component-specific requirements against Nobel Biocare's instructions for use, particularly for newer or specialty components.
Common search terms: Nobel Biocare driver size, Nobel Unigrip driver, Brånemark driver, NobelReplace driver tip, NobelActive screwdriver
Straumann/ITI Implant Systems
Connection Type: SCS (Screw Connection System)
Straumann implants use the SCS driver, a star-style geometry specific to Straumann and ITI-compatible systems.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Level 3.3mm (NC) | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Bone Level 4.1mm (RC) | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Bone Level 4.8mm (RC) | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Bone Level Tapered | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Tissue Level (All platforms) | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Standard/Standard Plus (RN) | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Standard Plus (NN) | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| BLX Implants | SCS Torx/Star | SCS Driver | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Alternative connection: Some Straumann-compatible third-party abutments use a 0.050" (1.27 mm) hex driver instead. Check the specific component.
Taft tip: ITI (Straumann-style), included short and long with the Variable Torque Driver.
Common search terms: Straumann driver size, ITI driver, SCS driver, Straumann screwdriver, Bone Level driver
BioHorizons Implant Systems
Connection Type: 0.050" (1.25 to 1.27 mm) Internal Hex
BioHorizons uses a single standard hex size across most platforms, which keeps driver selection simple.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapered Internal | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Tapered Internal Plus | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Laser-Lok | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Single-Stage | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| ProActive | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.27 hex on the Taft compatibility chart. See which tip fits which system.
Clinical note: The 0.050" hex is shared with Zimmer, MIS, Dentium, and many others, which makes it the most versatile driver size to keep within reach.
Common search terms: BioHorizons driver size, BioHorizons hex driver, Tapered Internal driver, Laser-Lok driver tip
Zimmer Biomet Implant Systems
Connection Type: 1.25mm (0.050") Internal Hex (Primary)
Zimmer Biomet uses primarily 0.050" hex connections, though legacy 3i systems use a smaller size.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapered Screw-Vent | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| TSV Implant | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| SwissPlus | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Trabecular Metal | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| 3i T3 | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Encode Healing Abutments | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.25 hex for Zimmer, 1.2 hex for 3i. Both included with the Variable Torque Driver.
Clinical note: Because of acquisitions (3i, Biomet), you may see different connections depending on when the implant was placed. Confirm the specific system.
Common search terms: Zimmer driver size, 3i driver, Tapered Screw-Vent driver, Zimmer hex driver, TSV driver tip
Dentsply Sirona Implant Systems
Connection Type: Variable (0.9 mm to 1.27 mm Hex)
Dentsply Sirona's portfolio includes Astra Tech, Ankylos, and Xive, and each one uses a different driver.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astra Tech Implant System EV | Internal Hex | 1.25mm-1.27mm | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Astra Tech OsseoSpeed | Internal Hex | 1.25mm-1.27mm | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Ankylos | Internal Hex | 1.0mm (0.039") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Xive | Internal Hex | 0.9mm (0.035") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Atlantis Abutments | Varies by platform | Match implant | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tips: 1.27 hex for Astra, 1.0 hex for Ankylos, 0.9 hex for Xive. All three are in the Variable Torque Driver tip set.
Clinical note: Identify the exact Dentsply system before you pick a driver. The Xive 0.9 mm hex is the smallest common size in implant dentistry and the one most often missing from a practice's drawer.
Common search terms: Astra Tech driver size, Ankylos driver, Xive driver, Dentsply hex driver, OsseoSpeed driver tip
Osstem Implant Systems
Connection Type: 1.2mm (0.047") Internal Hex
Osstem standardizes on a 1.2 mm internal hex across most platforms.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TS III | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| TS IV | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| SS II | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| GS II | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| MS | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| OneQ | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| SOI | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.2 hex, included short and long with the Variable Torque Driver.
Clinical note: The 1.2 mm hex is shared with Biomet 3i, Dio, Megagen, and other systems.
Common search terms: Osstem driver size, TS III driver, Osstem hex driver, Korean implant driver
MIS Implants Systems
Connection Type: 0.050" (1.25 to 1.27 mm) Internal Hex
MIS uses the common 0.050" internal hex across its product line.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| C1 | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| UNO | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| V3 | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Lance | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| M4 | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.27 hex on the Taft compatibility chart. See which tip fits which system.
Common search terms: MIS implant driver size, Seven driver, C1 driver, MIS hex driver
Dentium Implant Systems
Connection Type: 1.25mm-1.27mm (0.050") Internal Hex
Dentium uses variations of the 0.050" hex standard.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperLine | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Implantium | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| SlimLine | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| OneQ | Internal Hex | 1.27mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| NR Line | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.27 hex on the Taft compatibility chart. See which tip fits which system.
Common search terms: Dentium driver size, SuperLine driver, Implantium driver, Dentium hex driver
Megagen Implant Systems
Connection Type: 1.2mm (0.047") Internal Hex
Megagen uses the 1.2 mm internal hex across its implant portfolio.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnyOne | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| AnyRidge | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| Mini | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| EZ Plus | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.2 hex, included short and long with the Variable Torque Driver.
Common search terms: Megagen driver size, AnyOne driver, AnyRidge driver, Megagen hex driver
Hiossen Implant Systems
Connection Type: 1.2mm and 1.25mm Internal Hex (Platform Dependent)
Hiossen uses more than one hex size depending on the platform.
| Implant System | Driver Type | Driver Size | Short Length | Long Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ET III | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| ETIII SA | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| TS III | Internal Hex | 1.25mm (0.050") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
| SS II | Internal Hex | 1.2mm (0.047") | 8-10mm | 13-15mm |
Taft tip: 1.2 or 1.25 hex depending on the line. Both are in the Variable Torque Driver tip set.
Common search terms: Hiossen driver size, ET III driver, Hiossen hex driver
Complete Alphabetical Compatibility Reference
Quick Lookup Table: All Major Implant Brands
| Implant Brand | Primary Driver Type | Driver Size | Alternative/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB Dental | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Adin Dental | Internal Hex | 1.25-1.27mm | Compatible with 1.25mm |
| Alpha-Bio Tec | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Ankylos (Dentsply) | Internal Hex | 1.0mm | Unique small hex |
| Astra Tech (Dentsply) | Internal Hex | 1.25-1.27mm | Standard hex range |
| BioHorizons | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Industry standard |
| Biomet 3i | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Some legacy variations |
| Brånemark (Nobel) | Unigrip/Star | Proprietary | Nobel exclusive |
| Camlog | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Cortex | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| C-Tech | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Asian standard |
| Dentis | Internal Hex | 1.25-1.27mm | Standard hex range |
| Dentium | Internal Hex | 1.25-1.27mm | Standard hex range |
| Dio Implant | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Korean standard |
| Friadent (Dentsply) | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Hiossen | Internal Hex | 1.2mm or 1.25mm | Platform dependent |
| ICX | Internal Hex | 1.4mm | Larger specialty hex |
| Implant Direct | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| IntraLock | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Keystone Dental | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Lifecore | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Megagen | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Korean standard |
| MIS Implants | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Neobiotech | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Asian standard |
| Neodent | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Neoss | Unigrip/Tri-lobe | Proprietary | Similar to Nobel |
| Nobel Biocare | Unigrip/Star | Proprietary | Nobel exclusive |
| Osstem | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Korean standard |
| PerioSeal | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Southern Implants | Unigrip | Proprietary | Nobel-compatible |
| SteriOss | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Straumann | SCS Torx/Star | Proprietary | SCS/ITI driver |
| Sybron (Implant Direct) | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| Thommen | Four-Lobe | Proprietary | Specialty driver |
| Ticare | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
| T-Plus | Internal Hex | 1.2mm | Asian standard |
| Xive (Dentsply) | Internal Hex | 0.9mm | Smallest common hex |
| Zimmer | Internal Hex | 1.25mm | Standard hex |
Which Taft Driver Tip Fits Which System
These are the 16 tips (8 sizes, each in short and long) that ship with the Taft Variable Torque Driver, and the systems each one is matched to on our compatibility chart.
| Taft Tip | Implant Systems |
|---|---|
| 0.9 hex | Xive |
| 1.0 hex | Ankylos |
| 1.2 hex | Osstem, Dio, 3i, C-Tech, ICM, Megagen, T-Plus |
| 1.25 hex | Cortex, Ticare, ABT, Zimmer |
| 1.27 hex | Dentium, Dentis, Bego, Astra, Adin, MIS, Alpha-Bio Tec, BioHorizons |
| 1.4 hex | ICX |
| NOB | Nobel Biocare, Omni-Tight, Dentalmaster |
| ITI | Straumann, Trausim, Bioconcept |
Already have a torque wrench that takes standard tips? The same 16-tip set is sold on its own as Implant Driver Tips for $100. Prefer a color-coded box with every mandrel in its own slot? That is the Universal Rainbow Torque Box.
A 1.25 and a 1.27 hex tip are close enough that clinicians often treat them as interchangeable, but the fit you feel in your hand is the final test. If a tip rocks or spins before it seats, try the other size before you apply torque. The full three-point feel test is in how to identify an implant driver tip.
Why Universal Driver Kits Are Essential for Modern Practices
The Problem with Proprietary-Only Systems
A patient comes in for an abutment replacement on an implant placed years ago by another dentist. It is a Nobel Biocare Brånemark implant. Your practice places BioHorizons. Without a Unigrip driver, you cannot service this patient today.
That is not an edge case. Patients move, change dentists, and have implants placed abroad. Every one of them is a case your drawer either covers or does not.
The Real Cost: Kit Sprawl
Most practices do not buy a universal kit on day one. They buy one system's driver set, then another when a transfer patient walks in, then a loose tip to cover a third. A few years later there is a drawer full of partial sets, loose tips, and a torque wrench that only fits some of them.
That is Kit Sprawl, and it costs you twice. Once in money, buying overlapping sets one system at a time. And again in chair time, every time someone digs through that drawer looking for the right tip while the patient waits.
A single universal kit replaces the whole drawer. Through the traditional catalog channel, a quality variable torque driver with a full universal tip set commonly runs $600 to $800. The Taft Variable Torque Driver is $439 direct because there is no distributor or rep between us and your practice.
Clinical Benefits Beyond Cost
Workflow: one organized kit instead of hunting through manufacturer-specific sets.
Staff training: learning one system is simpler than learning several.
Emergency readiness: a walk-in with a loose screw on an unfamiliar system is a same-day fix, not a referral.
Less inventory: fewer instrument sets to track, sterilize, and replace.
How to Use This Guide: Practical Chairside Applications
Quick Reference Workflow
Step 1: Identify the implant brand. Check the patient's records, radiographs, or previous treatment documentation. Many implants have identifying features visible on radiographs.
Step 2: Look up the driver specification in the tables above:
- Connection type (hex, SCS, or Unigrip)
- Exact size (for example, 1.25 mm hex)
- Length (short for anterior, long for posterior access)
Step 3: Select the tip from your kit using the size markings, color-coding, or cassette position labels.
Step 4: Verify the fit before applying torque:
- The driver seats fully
- No wobble or excessive play
- The geometry matches the screw head
Step 5: Apply the manufacturer's torque. Use the value in the implant manufacturer's instructions for the specific component. Hand-tightening by feel is where under- and over-torqued screws come from. A driver with click-stop settings lets you set the value and stop at the click. The Taft Variable Torque Driver clicks at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 Ncm.
Common Driver Size Questions Answered
What if I Can't Identify the Implant System?
Radiographic clues:
- Thread pattern and shape
- Platform diameter
- Overall implant length
- Connection interface visible at the crest
Systematic trial: If you cannot identify it, try drivers gently, in order of how common they are, and stop at the first one that seats without play:
- 1.25 mm hex
- 1.2 mm hex
- SCS (Straumann-style)
- Unigrip (Nobel-style)
- Specialty sizes (0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.4 mm)
Never force a driver that does not seat fully. Professional identification: contact the previous treating dentist, or use an implant identification service with the radiograph.
Can I Use a Slightly Different Size Driver?
Short answer: Not recommended.
- A small mismatch can cause cam-out (slippage)
- It can damage both the driver tip and the screw head
- It compromises the torque you actually deliver
- A stripped screw head turns a simple re-torque into a retrieval
Exception: 1.25 mm and 1.27 mm are close enough that many clinicians treat them as interchangeable. Confirm by fit before torquing.
Do Short and Long Drivers Have Different Torque Specifications?
No. Length affects access, not torque. Torque values come from the implant manufacturer's instructions for the specific component. Use short drivers where access is easy and long drivers where you need reach, typically in the posterior.
Why Do Some Universal Kits Work Better Than Others?
Tip precision: a tip that seats snugly resists cam-out. A sloppy tip is a stripped screw waiting to happen.
Material: stainless steel that resists wear and corrosion through repeated sterilization.
Coverage: tips for the outliers (0.9, 1.0, 1.4) as well as the common sizes, in both lengths.
Access: a right-angle head reaches second molars that a straight driver cannot.
Organization: labeled or color-coded storage, so the right tip is found in seconds.
Special Considerations for Different Clinical Scenarios
Restoring Transferred Patients
- Take radiographs that clearly show the platform connection
- Check the compatibility tables in this guide
- Trial drivers gently, starting with the most common sizes
- Record the identified system in the patient's chart for next time
- Contact the previous dentist if the system is still unidentified
Emergency Prosthetic Repairs
A loose abutment screw is usually a quick fix when the right driver is in the drawer, and a referral or a second appointment when it is not. With a universal kit and the manufacturer's torque value, most re-torques can be handled at the first visit.
Multi-Doctor Practices
When different doctors prefer different implant systems, one universal kit serves everyone. One instrument protocol, one set of tips to sterilize, one thing to train new assistants on.
International Implant Systems
Patients with implants placed overseas often have Korean or European systems that are less common in the US. Most use standard hex sizes (Osstem, Dio, Megagen, Dentium, Neodent, Camlog), which a universal kit covers.
Maintaining Your Universal Driver Kit for Longevity
Proper Driver Care Protocol
After each use:
- Rinse immediately to remove debris before it dries
- Enzymatic soak per your cleaning solution's instructions
- Brush the tips, especially hex corners and star points
- Dry thoroughly
- Inspect for wear, damage, or deformation
- Sterilize per the manufacturer's instructions
Periodically: inspect every tip under magnification, compare worn tips against a new one, and confirm every tip is back in its correct slot.
When to Replace Driver Tips
- Visible rounding of hex corners
- Chipped or worn star points
- Bent or twisted shafts
- A tip that no longer fully engages the screw head
- Cam-out during normal use
A worn tip costs far less to replace than a stripped prosthetic screw or a damaged implant connection. Replacement driver tips and replacement driver heads for the Variable Torque Driver are sold separately.
Upgrading to Variable Torque Driver Systems
One Instrument Instead of Two
A traditional universal driver kit covers compatibility, but you still need a separate torque wrench for the final tightening. A variable torque driver combines both: the tips and the torque control in one instrument.
Here is what the Taft Variable Torque Driver gives you:
- Six torque settings: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 Ncm, with an audible click when you reach the setting
- Right-angle head for posterior access, so you are not fighting the angle on a second molar
- 16 driver tips included, covering every size in the table above
- One replacement head included
- Tips lock securely into the head
- 60-day money-back guarantee
$439 direct from Taft, versus the $600 to $800 range typical through the catalog channel. Free shipping over $100, shipping from Cincinnati.
When to Consider Upgrading
You restore implants you did not place. Transfer patients are where proprietary-only drawers fail.
More than one provider restores implants. A click-stop driver gives everyone the same torque, regardless of hand strength or habit.
You are seeing screw loosening or doing repeat re-torque visits. Consistent, verified torque is the first thing to rule out.
You have Kit Sprawl. If your implant drawer has more than one partial driver set in it, one kit replaces all of them.
Conclusion: Simplifying Implant Dentistry with Universal Solutions
Three connection families cover the industry: hex (most systems), SCS (Straumann), and Unigrip (Nobel). Within the hex family, 1.2 mm and 1.25 to 1.27 mm cover most of what walks through the door, with 0.9, 1.0, and 1.4 mm as the outliers you only miss once.
Bookmark this page for the next transfer patient. And if your drawer is missing any of those sizes, the Taft Variable Torque Driver covers every one of them in a single right-angle instrument with click-stop torque.
Questions about compatibility with a specific system? Call 513-580-8414 or email sales@taftdentalco.com, and we will tell you which tip fits.
Common questions
What is the most common dental implant driver size?
The 0.050" internal hex, sold as 1.25 mm or 1.27 mm, is the most widely shared size, used by Zimmer, BioHorizons, MIS, Dentium, Astra, and many others. The 1.2 mm hex is the next most common, used by Osstem, Biomet 3i, Dio, and Megagen.
What driver does Straumann use?
Straumann uses its SCS (Screw Connection System) driver, a star-style geometry specific to Straumann and ITI-compatible systems. It is not interchangeable with a hex driver. Some third-party Straumann-compatible abutments use a 0.050" hex instead, so check the component.
What driver does Nobel Biocare use?
Nobel Biocare uses its proprietary Unigrip driver across systems including Brånemark, NobelReplace, NobelActive, and NobelParallel. Hex and SCS drivers will not engage a Nobel screw correctly.
Is a 1.25 mm driver the same as a 1.27 mm driver?
They are both sold as 0.050" hex and are close enough that many clinicians treat them as interchangeable. Confirm by fit: the tip should seat fully with no rocking or spinning before you apply torque.
What torque should an abutment screw be tightened to?
It depends on the implant system, the component, and the product generation, so always use the value in the implant manufacturer's instructions for use. A click-stop torque driver lets you set that exact value and stop at the click.
About This Compatibility Guide
This reference is updated as new implant systems and connection designs come to market. Driver sizes are general reference information and may vary by component and product generation.
Clinical disclaimer: Always verify driver sizes and torque specifications against the specific implant manufacturer's instructions for use. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly. Individual kit compatibility may vary. Professional Use Only. Licensed Dental Professionals.