Effectiveness of mini implants in three-dimensional control during retraction - a clinical study

Three-dimensional control throughout the orthodontic treatment is essential for uncompromised results. Mini screws introduced for orthodontic anchorage has given the clinician an option of absolute three dimensional control. The purpose of this study was to compare and measure the vertical control and torque control of incisors and molar during enmass retraction with titanium microimplants and conventional molar anchorage.

Twenty patients were selected with extraction of all first premolars and bonded with 0.022″ slot MBT system. After aligning and leveling, all subjects were placed with 0.019″ X 0.025″ posted SS wire with standardized torquing curve. The 20 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups consisting of 10 each (Group A & Group B). Group A subjects, implants were placed and Group B formed the control group. Retraction was carried out using NiTi closed coil springs. The assessment of the vertical and torque control of incisors and tipping and vertical control of molars was done by radiographic method using lateral cephalogram taken before and after retraction.

The torque control of incisors, P11 value in group A and B indicated no significant difference. The molar tip, P12 value in group A indicated that there was distal tipping of molars while the P12 in group B indicated mesial tipping. On vertical plane P21, P22 and P23 values in Group A indicated that there was intrusion of incisors and molars while value in Group B indicated extrusion of incisors and molars.

Three dimensional control is better in the implant group compared to the non implant group. Therefore the implant group definitely has citied advantages over conventional method.