title: A simple three-dimensional stent for proper placement of mini-implant.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper deals with the fabrication of a three-dimensional stent which is simple in design but provides an accurate placement of a mini-implant in three planes of space, namely, sagittal (root proximity), vertical (attached gingiva/alveolar mucosa) and transverse (angulation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stent is made of 0.018×0.025 in. stainless steel archwire which consists of a 'u loop' angulated at 20°, a vertical limb, a horizontal limb and a stop. The angulation of the 'u' helps in the placement of the mini-implant at 70° to the long axis of the tooth. The vertical height is determined such that the mini-implant is placed at the mucogingival junction. The mini-implant is placed with the aid of the stent, and its angulation and proximity to the adjacent roots are checked with a cone beam computed tomography image. The cone beam computed tomography image showed the mini-implant at an angle of 70° to the long axis of the tooth. There is no contact between mini-implant and the roots of the adjacent teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This stent is simple, easy to fabricate, cost-effective, and provides ease of insertion/removal, and three-dimensional orientation of the mini-implant.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. sumifeli@hotmail.com.
authors: A Sumathi
authors: AS
authors: Felicita
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D004867:Equipment Design; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008904:Miniaturization; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000379:methods; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D015607:Stents; D013499:Surface Properties; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D013193:Stainless Steel