Orthodontic Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthodontic, including details on braces, retainers, treatment.

Impact of Implant Design on Primary Stability of Orthodontic Mini-implants.

Wilmes B, Ottenstreuer S, Su YY, Drescher D

Poliklinik für Kieferorthopädie, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany, wilmes@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.

AIM: Skeletal anchorage with mini-implants has greatly broadened the treatment possibilities in orthodontics over the last few years. To reduce implant failure rates, it is advisable to obtain adequate primary stability. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the impact of implant design and dimension on primary stability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two porcine iliac bone segments were prepared and embedded in resin. To evaluate the primary stability, we documented insertion torques of the following miniimplants: Aarhus Screw, AbsoAnchor((R)), LOMAS, Micro-Anchorage-System, ORLUS and Spider Screw((R)). In each bone, five Dual Toptrade mark Screws were inserted for reference purposes to achieve comparability among the specimens. RESULTS: We observed wide variation in insertion torques and hence primary stability, depending on mini-implant design and dimension; the great impact that mini-implant diameter has on insertion torques was particularly conspicuous. Conical mini-implants achieved higher primary stabilities than cylindrical designs. CONCLUSIONS: The diameter and design of the mini-implant thread have a distinctive impact on primary stability. Depending on the region of insertion and local bone quality, the choice of the mini-implant design and size is crucial to establish sufficient primary stability.

Published 23 January 2008 in J Orofac Orthop, 69(1): 42-50.
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