Effect of cutting flute length and shape on insertion and removal torque of orthodontic mini-implants / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of length and shape of cutting flute on mechanical properties of orthodontic mini-implants. METHODS: Three types of mini-implants with different flute patterns (Type A with 2.6 mm long flute, Type B with 3.9 mm long and straight flute, Type C with 3.9 mm long and helical flute) were inserted into the biomechanical test blocks (Sawbones Inc., USA) with 2 mm and 4 mm cortical bone thicknesses to test insertion and removal torque. RESULTS: In 4 mm cortical bone thickness, Type C mini-implants showed highest maximum insertion torque, then Type A and Type B in order. Type C also showed shortest total insertion time and highest maximum removal torque, but Type A and B didn't showed statistically significant difference in insertion time and removal torque. In 2 mm cortical bone thickness, there were no significant difference in total insertion time and maximum removal torque in three types of mini-implants, but maximum insertion torque of Type A was higher than two other Types of mini-implants. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration about length and shape of cutting flute of mini-implant is also required when the placement site has thick cortical bone.

Evaluation of insertion of torque and pull-out strength of mini-screws according to different thickness of artificial cortical bone / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical performance of mini-screws during insertion into artificial bone with use of the driving torque tester (Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea), as well as testing of Pull-out Strength (POS). METHODS: Experimental bone blocks with different cortical bone thickness were used as specimens. Three modules of commercially available drill-free type mini-screws (Type A; pure cylindrical type, Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea, Type B; partially cylindrical type, Jeil Medical, Seoul, Korea, Type C; combination type of cylindrical and tapered portions, Ortholution, Seoul, Korea), were used. RESULTS: Difference in the cortical bone thickness had little effect on the maximum insertion torque (MIT) in Type A mini-screws. But in Type B and C, MIT increased as the cortical bone thickness increased. MIT of Type C was highest in all situations, then Type B and Type A in order. Type C showed lower POS than Type A or B in all situations. There were statistically significant correlations between cortical bone thickness and MIT, and POS for each type of the mini-screws. CONCLUSION: Since different screw designs showed different insertion torques with increases in cortical bone thickness, the best suitable screw design should be selected according to the different cortical thicknesses at the implant sites