Utilização de mini-implantes para ancoragem em ortodontia

Abstract

There has always been a need to achieve a form of absolute anchorage in orthodontics, in order to optimize the opportunities and the therapeutic results of orthodontic treatments. Nowadays, there are several rigid anchoring elements that allow this to be done, by not permitting unwanted and unpredictable tooth movements that make treatment difficult. The latest advance in skeletal anchorage lies in the creation and use of orthodontic mini-implants. However, due to the fact that these devices are relatively new in the market, there is still no document containing all relevant information on all systems that are available to the orthodontist. This work is endowed with scientific importance, as it will compile, in one document, all the information needed to choose a mini-implant anchorage for orthodontic devices. Objective: The aim of this study was to carry out a literature review on all of the existing devices used for fixed orthodontic anchorage, namely onplants, dental implants, palatal implants, retromolar implants, miniplates and mini-implants, and the subsequent assessment of the state of art of mini-implants, due to the fact that these devices are the latest advance in this field and currently the most widely used by orthodontists. The intention is to compile in one document all the information available on-line concerning the mini-implants that exist in the world market. Materials and Methods: A research on scientific articles in Pubmed®, indexed in Medline®, and in Cochrane®, published between the years of 1995 and 2012, and their subsequent analysis, was performed, in order to make a chronology of skeletal anchorage devices. Subsequently, through on-line research and direct contact with the brands, surveys of all marketed systems of mini-implants have been done. The information collected has been organized in tables. Results: Through on-line research, fifty-one brands of mini-implants were found. Of these, six brands were related to mini-implants for denture support and were immediately excluded. Concerning orthodontic mini-implants, forty-five brands were found and from only nine of these it was possible to determinate the year they were released. Twenty-two brands of orthodontic mini-implants already have scientific studies and six do not have information available on the internet. Discussion: The significant increase in the production of mini-implants is suggestive of the high demand they have had in the last decade. During this period, over forty brands with mini-implant systems were created. This means that, in fact, with these devices of small dimensions, obtaining an absolute anchorage has been achieved, and thus the results of treatment are likely to be more predictable. However, most of the mini-implant systems in the world market do not yet have scientific studies and information available on the internet about them is not uniform and standardized, making it difficult for orthodontists in terms of characteristic specifications. The research to obtain the results of this work was quite difficult as the necessary information was found widely dispersed and often the existing information was not the same for all mini-implants systems. Contact with commercial brands was not productive, as most of them did not respond or responded in a way far from what was desired and requested. Conclusion: Most of the mini-implant systems still require scientific studies to prove clinical efficacy and demonstrate benefits according to their characteristics. However, mini-implants have been widely used, according to what suggests the growth of their industry. We can now refer many parameters on which the primary stability of mini-implants depend on, as well as their fracture resistance. Another parameter to take into account is the torque conferred to the mini-implant during its insertion.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Armandino Alves (Supervisor)