Clinical suitability of titanium microscrews for orthodontic anchorage-preliminary experiences.
OBJECTIVE
The future of orthodontic anchorage implants may well belong to micro-implants, developed in varying designs, lengths and diameters by different manufacturers. The aim of the present clinical study was to investigate whether titanium microscrews manufactured by Jeil Medical Corp. (South Korea) are suitable for orthodontic anchorage purposes.


METHODS
At the Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, 36 micro-implants with diameters of 1.4, 1.6 and 2 mm and lengths of 6, 8 and 10 mm were inserted in 17 patients. The implants served predominantly as anchorage for premolar distalization, molar uprighting and molar mesialization.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 29 +/- 14 years. The implantation sites were evenly divided between the upper and lower jaw. The main insertion sites were buccal interradicular, retromolar, and palatal interradicular. Most implants used were 8 mm in length and 1.6 or 2 mm in diameter. The mean in situ time was 158 +/- 97 days. Eleven fixtures failed before the end of treatment, corresponding to a failure rate of 30%.


CONCLUSIONS
The tested miniscrews with a diameter of 1.6-2 mm and a length of 8-10 mm proved suitable for orthodontic anchorage purposes. Whereas larger implants need a relatively extensive bone supply and the insertion sites are limited, microscrews offer a more flexible range of applications. They also offer crucial advantages such as simple, atraumatic insertion and removal, minimum patient stress, and a favorable cost-benefit ratio.
Fritz
Ulrike
U
Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, Germany. ufritz@ukaachen.de
Ehmer
Andreas
A
Diedrich
Peter
P
D001863:Bone Screws; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008904:Miniaturization; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014025:Titanium; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium