Biomechanical strength analysis of mini anchors for the temporomandibular joint.
BACKGROUND
The usage of mini anchors for the treatment of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is considered an innovative treatment, and it has presented excellent clinical results in the stabilization of the articular disc. This study aimed to evaluate, through mechanical tensile testing, the resistance of mini anchors for TMJ articular disc repositioning.


METHODS
Ten thermoplastic polymer poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) mini anchors were tested in artificial polyurethane blocks with a pullout test in a mechanical Instron™ machine, model 4411. The mini anchors were pulled out until failure and the force and displacement were recorded for each specimen. A small standard deviation was noted, which indicated reproducibility.


RESULTS
The findings indicate that Cillen™ mini anchors presented a mean force at failure up to 46.1 N with similar values in the scientific literature. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted for a comparison of PEEK mini anchors with other commercially available anchors, in addition to studies related to PEEK, a scarcely known material in the dentistry field.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Avenida Limeira, 901, Caixa Postal 52, #191, Areião, 13414-903, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, andrezzalauria@gmail.com.
Andrezza
A
Lauria
Danillo Costa
DC
Rodrigues
Fábio Ricardo Loureiro
FR
Sato
Roger William Fernandes
RW
Moreira
D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008904:Miniaturization; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000601:surgery
D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols