title: Cross-sectional evaluation of the prevalence and factors associated with soft tissue scarring after the removal of miniscrews.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of distinguishable soft tissue scarring after the removal of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) such as orthodontic miniscrews and to analyze the factors associated with scar formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of soft tissue scarring in 66 patients (202 miniscrew removal sites) was clinically investigated at least 1 year after miniscrew removal. To determine the clinical factors associated with soft tissue scar formation, miniscrew stability; host factors including age, gender, and gingival biotype; and miniscrew-related factors such as insertion site, vertical position, and insertion period were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of a distinguishable scar remaining at least 1 year after miniscrew removal was 44.6%. Patients with flat gingiva showed a significantly higher prevalence of soft tissue scar formation than did those with pronounced scalloped gingiva (P < .05). Maxillary buccal removal sites showed a significantly higher prevalence of soft tissue scar formation than did those in the mandible or palatal slope (P < .05). Miniscrew sites at the alveolar mucosa showed a significantly lower prevalence of soft tissue scar formation than did those in the mucogingival junction or the attached gingiva (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of distinguishable scarring after miniscrew removal was fairly high. On the basis of our results, patients with flat gingiva and buccal interdental gingival insertion sites are more susceptible to scar formation.
authors.affiliation: a  Resident, Department of Orthodontics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-ah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Yoon Jeong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dong-Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyung-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chooryung J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008904:Miniaturization; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D010159:Palate / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Miniscrew; Prevalence; Removal; Scar; Wound healing