Mechanical properties of self-drilling orthodontic micro-implants with different diameters.
OBJECTIVE
The hypothesis to be tested is that peak-insertion torque of self-drilling micro-implants of an appropriate diameter correlates with peak-removal torque mechanically.


METHODS
A total of 360 self-drilling micro-implants composed of five different types were used. They (24 of each group) were inserted in three types of artificial bone with the use of a driving torque tester at a speed of 15 rpm. Insertion torque was measured during the placement, while the removal torque was measured within 3 days after insertion.


RESULTS
Most of the micro-implants in type A sheared before they were completely inserted in 40-pounds per cubic foot bone. The implants in other types were successfully inserted without implant breakage and bone fracture in all bone densities. There was a statistically significant correlation between insertion torque and removal torque (r > or = 0.43543, P = .0001). There were significant differences in insertion and removal torque among the diameters of implants and bone densities with an increasing tendency. The torque loss rates reduced as the diameter of the implant and bone density increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Micro-implants with a diameter of less than 1.3 mm are unsuitable for insertion into a bone with a density greater than 40 pounds per cubic foot mechanically when one is using a self-drilling technique.
Chen
Yan
Y
Oral Department, Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, P.R. China. paifeng66@hotmail.com
Kyung
Hee Moon
HM
Gao
Limin
L
Yu
Won-Jae
WJ
Bae
Eun-Ju
EJ
Kim
Sang-Min
SM
D000497:Alloys; D015519:Bone Density; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D019415:Torque
D000497:Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D011140:Polyurethanes; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium