Periodontal health and orthodontic mini-screws: a cross-sectional study

Orthodontic mini-screws (OMSs) are widely used as temporary anchorage devices in orthodontics because they facilitate complex tooth movements without relying on patient compliance. Despite their advantages, concerns have been raised regarding potential adverse effects on periodontal health. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the relationship between OMS and periodontal parameters in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

A total of 132 patients with 160 OMS placements were included. Periodontal parameters, including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), recession depth, bleeding on probing (BOP), mucosal discomfort (MD), mucosal redness (MR), keratinized tissue width (KTW), supracrestal tissue height, and transmucosal soft tissue thickness, were evaluated at site-specific and full-mouth levels 3 months post-placement.

Significant differences were identified between site-level and full-mouth periodontal measurements, with site-level evaluations revealing higher PI, GI, PD, and BOP values (P<0.05). Lower KTW and tension gauge (TG) values were correlated with higher MD and MR (P<0.05). Moreover, lower TG values were associated with elevated periodontal inflammation markers, such as PI and PD, at both the site-specific and full-mouth levels (P<0.05).

These results highlight significant biomechanical and inflammatory interactions between OMS and periodontal tissues, emphasizing the need for meticulous mini-screw placement and careful periodontal monitoring. The findings also underscore the importance of individualized treatment plans that consider periodontal conditions to optimize OMS stability and minimize periodontal risks.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07052747.