Development of a novel spike-like auxiliary skeletal anchorage device to enhance miniscrew stability

Comparative analysis of anchorage strength and histomorphometric changes after implantation of miniscrews in adults and adolescents: an experimental study in Beagles

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the differences in anchorage strength and histomorphometric changes in orthodontic miniscrews between adult and adolescent beagles.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Six adult beagles and six young beagles were used as experimental subjects, and eight miniscrews were symmetrically placed in the posterior mandible of each dog. Measurement of the displacement (mm) of two adjacent miniscrews after load application was performed to compare the anchorage strength between the adult and adolescent groups. Three intravital bone fluorochromes (oxytetracycline, calcein green, xylenol orange) were administered postoperatively to mark the active bone-forming surface. Subsequently, the mineral apposition rate and bone-implant contact ratio were measured for dynamic and static histomorphometry. Finally, the expression levels of the RANKL/OPG ratio were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The average displacement of miniscrews in the adult group was significantly less than that in the adolescent group after load application. For histomorphometry analysis, the mineral exposure rate in the adolescent group was higher than that in the adult group with or without force application. In addition, more fractures and new bone formation but deceased bone-implant contact ratios were observed in the adolescent group than in the adult group. The ratio of RANKL/OPG expression increased more in the adolescent group than in the adult group.

CONCLUSION

Miniscrews do not remain in the same position as skeletal anchors, and the amount of displacement was higher in adolescent group than that in adult group, reflecting the weaker anchorage strength of miniscrews in adolescents due to the higher bone turnover rate and active bone remodelling. Therefore, it is feasible to apply orthodontic loading to the miniscrews in adult patients earlier, even immediately, but it is recommended to wait a period for the adolescents.

A novel auxiliary device enhances miniscrew stability under immediate heavy loading simulating orthopedic treatment

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate miniscrew stability and perform a histomorphometric analysis of the bone around the miniscrew under a load corresponding to orthopedic force.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two miniscrews were implanted into eight rabbit tibias. Auxiliary group rabbits received auxiliary devices with miniscrews (n = 8, 28 days; n = 8, 56 days), and those in the nonauxiliary control group received miniscrews without auxiliary devices (n = 8, 28 days; n = 8, 56 days). Elastics were placed between miniscrews to apply a load of 5 N. Miniscrew stability was evaluated using a Periotest. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and spike implantation depth were measured histomorphologically.

RESULTS

Periotest values in the auxiliary group were significantly lower than those in the nonauxiliary group at all time periods. There was no significant difference in BIC between the auxiliary and nonauxiliary groups at 28 or 56 days postimplantation. The implantation spike depth in the auxiliary group was significantly greater at 56 days compared to that at 28 days. Newly formed bone was observed around the spike of the auxiliary device at 56 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the use of miniscrews in conjunction with auxiliary devices provides stable skeletal anchorage, which may be useful in orthopedic treatments.

Effect of a digital guide on the positional accuracy of intermaxillary fixation screw implantation in orthognathic surgery

BACKGROUND

Intermaxillary fixation screw (IMFS) implantation is a common procedure in orthognathic surgery (OGS) performed to the temporary maxillary-mandibular fixation and stable bite relationships. The study aims to assess the accuracy of IMFS implantation with a digital guide to reduce the occurrence of root damage.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 40 patients undergoing OGS at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from August 2017 to May 2021. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to whether the IMFS implantation was with or without digital guide (20 patients in the experimental group and 20 controls). The digital guides used in the experimental group were designed according to a virtual implantation plan and printed using stereolithography. In the control group, IMFSs were directly implanted by a surgeon based on clinical experience. Postoperatively, cone-beam computed tomography was performed to compare root proximity of IMFSs between the two groups and verify the accuracy of IMFS placement.

RESULTS

In the experimental group, there was no case of root damage, the incidence of the periodontal ligament (PDL) injured was 22.1%, and 77.9% IMFSs were placed without contacting adjacent anatomic structures. In the control group, the incidence of root damage had been up to 20.8%, 31.7% IMFSs injured the PDL, and only 47.5% IMFSs were placed between the roots (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

IMFSs can be placed more accurately with surgical guides, reducing the incidence of root and PDL damages.

Mechanical and histological evaluation of a titanium device for orthodontic anchorage, placed with or without cyanoacrylate adhesive

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to perform a histological evaluation of a titanium mini-implant for orthodontic anchorage. Shear strength and fracture patterns that occurred immediately, 30 and 60 days after insertion with or without N-2-butyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive were evaluated.

METHODS

Ninety-six mini-implants (Arrow, Peclab, Brazil) were placed in the tibia of 9 male rabbits, with or without an adhesive (Vetbond™, 3M, USA). Histological evaluation was done by optical light microscope. Shear strength testing was performed, followed by fracture analysis with visual inspection.

RESULTS

Close contact between the newly formed bone and the device was evidenced in the group without adhesive, whereas gaps in the group with adhesive were found. Tukey test showed similar values in both groups at the immediate time point (20.70 N without adhesive and 24.69 N with adhesive), and higher values for the non-adhesive group, after 30 and 60 days (43.98 N and 78.55 N, respectively). The values for the adhesive group were similar for the immediate time point (24.69 N), 30 days (18.23 N) and 60 days (31.98 N). The fractures were adhesive for both groups at the immediate time point. The fractures were cohesive in bone for the non-adhesive group after 30 and 60 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The mini-implants showed close bone contact and required higher shear strength for removal at 30 and 60 days for the non-adhesive group. Further studies are needed to assess the proper way to remove the orthodontic anchorage without cohesive fractures in bone.

Evaluation of miniscrew stability using an automatic embedding auxiliary skeletal anchorage device

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the in vivo effect of an automatic embedding device on miniscrew stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

42 miniscrews were implanted into rabbit femurs. The miniscrews with the novel auxiliary device formed the auxiliary group (n = 11 at 4 weeks; n = 11 at 8 weeks) and the miniscrews without the auxiliary device formed the nonauxiliary control group (n = 9 at 4 weeks; n = 11 at 8 weeks). Cortical bone thickness, distance from the cortical bone surface to the miniscrew head, and implantation depth of the spike were measured using micro-computed tomography. The mechanical retention force was evaluated by measuring the displacement of the miniscrew head after it was loaded perpendicular to its long axis. In the lateral displacement test, effects of the auxiliary (with vs without auxiliary), and time (4 vs 8 weeks) were assessed using the Brunner-Langer nonparametric analysis of longitudinal data in factorial experiments.

RESULTS

The mean implantation depth of the spike in the auxiliary group at 4 and 8 weeks was 0.28 mm (median: 0.33; SD: 0.12) and 0.37 mm (median: 0.33; SD: 0.19), respectively. The retention force was approximately 2.0 to 2.8 and 1.6 to 1.8 times greater in the auxiliary group than in the nonauxiliary group at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The auxiliary device improved the mechanical retention force without the need to increase miniscrew length or diameter. This may enable the safe use of miniscrews in difficult areas.

Micrognathia with temporomandibular joint ankylosis and obstructive sleep apnea treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis using skeletal anchorage: a case report

Background

We describe the case of a 16-year-old female patient with micrognathia, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, and obstructive sleep apnea, who was treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) combined with sliding genioplasty, using skeletal anchorage.

Case presentation

We first performed interpositional arthroplasty, in which an interposition of fascia temporalis and surrounding fat tissue was inserted into the defect after bilateral condylectomy, increasing the maximum mouth opening from 5.0 to 32.0 mm. Subsequently, orthodontic treatment and advancement of the mandible were carried out by mandibular DO, using miniscrews and miniplates. Finally, sliding genioplasty was performed to bring the tip of the mandible forward. The total amount of mandibular advancement at the menton was 16.0 mm. An improved facial appearance and good occlusion were eventually achieved, and the apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 37.1 to 8.7. There was no obvious bone resorption or pain in the temporomandibular region, limited mouth opening (maximum mouth opening: 33.0 mm), myofascial pain or headache, downward rotation of the mandible, or lateral shift of mandibular position evident at 5 years and 6 months after mandibular DO.

Conclusion

Mandibular DO using skeletal anchorage with intermaxillary elastics is useful for preventing extrusion of the upper and lower anterior teeth, thereby preventing rotation of the mandible. In addition, mandibular DO combined with sliding genioplasty is effective at improving both dentofacial deformities and impaired respiratory function.