Original Article

Clinical Suitability of Titanium Microscrews for Orthodontic Anchorage—

Preliminary Experiences

Ulrike Fritz1, 3 , Andreas Ehmer2 and Peter Diedrich1

(1) Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, Germany

(2) Private orthodontic practice, Osnabrück, Germany

(3) Klinik für Kieferorthopädie, Universität Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

Received: 26 March 2004 Accepted: 25 May 2004

Abstract.

Aim: The future of orthodontic anchorage implants may well belong to micro-implants, developed in
varying designs, lengths and diameters by different manufacturers. The aim of the present clinical study

was to investigate whether titanium microscrews manufactured by Jeil Medical Corp. (South Korea) are

suitable for orthodontic anchorage purposes.

Material and Methods: At the Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, 36 micro-implants with
diameters of 1.4, 1.6 and 2 mm and lengths of 6, 8 and 10 mm were inserted in 17 patients. The implants

served predominantly as anchorage for premolar distalization, molar uprighting and molar mesialization.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 29 ± 14 years. The implantation sites were evenly divided
between the upper and lower jaw. The main insertion sites were buccal interradicular, retromolar, and

palatal interradicular. Most implants used were 8 mm in length and 1.6 or 2 mm in diameter. The mean in

situ time was 158 ± 97 days. Eleven fixtures failed before the end of treatment, corresponding to a failure

rate of 30%.

Conclusions: The tested miniscrews with a diameter of 1.6–2 mm and a length of 8–10 mm proved
suitable for orthodontic anchorage purposes. Whereas larger implants need a relatively extensive bone

supply and the insertion sites are limited, microscrews offer a more flexible range of applications. They

also offer crucial advantages such as simple, atraumatic insertion and removal, minimum patient stress,

and a favorable cost-benefit ratio.

Key Words: Mini-implant - Microscrew - Orthodontic anchorage

Artikel
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie
Verlag: Urban & Vogel Medien & Medizin

ISSN: 1434-5293 (Paper) 1615-6714 (Online)

DOI: 10.1007/s00056-004-0408-x

Heft: Band 65, Nummer 5

Datum: September 2004

Seiten: 410 - 418

Original Article

Clinical Suitability of Titanium Microscrews for Orthodontic

Anchorage—Preliminary Experiences

Ulrike Fritz1, 3 , Andreas Ehmer2 and Peter Diedrich1

(1) Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, Germany

(2) Private orthodontic practice, Osnabrück, Germany

(3) Klinik für Kieferorthopädie, Universität Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

Received: 26 March 2004 Accepted: 25 May 2004

Abstract.

Aim: The future of orthodontic anchorage implants may well belong to micro-implants, developed in
varying designs, lengths and diameters by different manufacturers. The aim of the present clinical

study was to investigate whether titanium microscrews manufactured by Jeil Medical Corp. (South

Korea) are suitable for orthodontic anchorage purposes.

Material and Methods: At the Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, 36 micro-implants

with diameters of 1.4, 1.6 and 2 mm and lengths of 6, 8 and 10 mm were inserted in 17 patients. The

implants served predominantly as anchorage for premolar distalization, molar uprighting and molar

mesialization.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 29 ± 14 years. The implantation sites were evenly
divided between the upper and lower jaw. The main insertion sites were buccal interradicular,

retromolar, and palatal interradicular. Most implants used were 8 mm in length and 1.6 or 2 mm in

diameter. The mean in situ time was 158 ± 97 days. Eleven fixtures failed before the end of treatment,

corresponding to a failure rate of 30%.

Conclusions: The tested miniscrews with a diameter of 1.6–2 mm and a length of 8–10 mm proved
suitable for orthodontic anchorage purposes. Whereas larger implants need a relatively extensive bone

supply and the insertion sites are limited, microscrews offer a more flexible range of applications. They

also offer crucial advantages such as simple, atraumatic insertion and removal, minimum patient

stress, and a favorable cost-benefit ratio.

Key Words: Mini-implant - Microscrew - Orthodontic anchorage