• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.3 s.116
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• pp.178-187
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• 2006

The present study was performed to evaluate the stress distribution on the diameter of the mini-implant and insertion angle to the bone surface. To perform three dimensional finite element analysis, a hexadron of $15{\times}15{\times}20mm^3$ was used, with a 1.0 mm width of cortical bone. Mini-implants of 8 mm length and 1.2 mm, 1.6 mm, and 2.0 mm in diameter were inserted at $90^{\circ},\;75^{\circ},\;60^{\circ},\;45^{\circ},\;and\;30^{\circ}$ to the bone surface. Two hundred grams of horizontal force was applied to the center of the mini-implant head and stress distribution and its magnitude were analyzed by ANSYS, a three dimensional finite element analysis program. The findings of this study showed that maximum von Mises stresses in the mini-implant and cortical and cancellous bone were decreased as the diameter increased from 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm with no relation to the insertion angle. Analysis of the stress distribution in the cortical and cancellous bone showed that the stress was absorbed mostly in the cortical bone, and little was transmitted to the cancellous bone. The contact area increased according to the increased diameter and decreased insertion angle to the bone surface, but maximum von Mises stress in cortical bone was more significantly related with the contact point of the mini-implant into the cortical bone surface than the insertion angle to the bone surface. The above results suggest that the maintenance of the mini-implant is more closely related with the diameter and contact point of the mini-implant into the cortical bone surface rather than the insertion angle.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.324-330
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• 2006

Objective: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the differences between sand blasted, large grit and acid-etched (SLA) treated mini-implants and smooth surface orthodontic mini-implants in relation to the removal torque as well as the histologic analysis. Methods: Custom-made, screw-shaped, titanium implants with a length of 9.5 mm and an outer diameter of 1.8 mm were divided into 2 groups; the SLA group (20 SLA treated orthodontic mini-implants) and the smooth surface group (20 smooth surface mini-implants), and placed In the tibia metaphysis of 10 rabbits. Each rabbit had 4 mini-implants placed, 2 in each tibia. The right tibia were implanted with the SLA group mini-implants and the left tibia had the smooth group mini-implants placed. Each mini-implant group were immediately applied with a continuous traction force of 150 g using a Ni-Ti coil spring. The rabbits were sacrificed 6 weeks post-surgically. Subsequently, the legs were stabilized, the Ni-Ti coil springs were removed and the mini-implants were removed under reverse torque rotation with a digital torque gauge. Results: 6 weeks after placement, the SIA group presented a higher mean removal torque value (8.29 Ncm) than the smooth group (3.34 Ncm) and histologic analysis revealed a higher new bone formation aspect along the screw in the SLA group. Conclusion: Results of this study indicates that SLA treated mini-implants may endure higher orthodontic forces without loosening.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.251-262
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• 2006

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the bacterial flora at the peri-implant sulcus of the orthodontic mini-implant placed in the alveolar mucosa with the bacterial flora at the adjacent healthy gingival sulcus. Methods: Two plaque samples from 7 patients were collected by inserting paper points into the sulcus between the mini-implant and ligature wire connected to the mini-implant head and inflamed alveolar mucosa, and from the gingival sulcus of a healthy tooth adjacent to the mini-implant. Results: Using 16S rDNA clone library, the 24 kinds of bacteria including Haemophilus aphrophilus, Sphingomonas species, Capnocytophaga species, Prevotella melaninogenica, Lachnospiraceae species, Porphyromonas species, Neisseria flava were identified only from the sulcus around the mini-implant. These bacteria constituted only 9.2% of total clones, and the bacteria identified from both the sulcus around mini-implants and the gingival sulcus constituted 80.4% of total clones. Of these bacteria, clones of Prevotella species, Atopobium rimae, Veillonella species, Streptococcus intermedius/constellatus, Streptococcus salivarius were more frequently isolated from the peri-implant sulcus. Conclusion: This study suggests that a broad epidemiological study is needed to find causative bacteria which induce inflammation from the peri-implant sulcus.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the Periotest values for the prediction of orthodontic mini-implants' stability. Methods: Sixty orthodontic mini-implants (7.0 mm $\times$ $\emptyset1.45$ mm; ACR, Biomaterials Korea, Seoul, Korea) were inserted into the buccal alveolar bone of 5 twelve month-old beagle dogs. Insertion torque (IT) and Periotest values (PTV) were measured at the installation procedure, and removal torque (RT) and PTV were recorded after 12 weeks of orthodontic loading. To correlate PTV with variables, the cortical bone thickness (mm) and bone mineral density (BMD) within the cortical bone and total bone area were calculated with the help of CT scanning. Results: The BMD and cortical bone thickness in mandibular alveolus were significantly higher than those of the maxilla (p < 0.05). The PTV values ranged from -3.2 to 4.8 for 12 weeks of loading showing clinically stable mini-implants. PTV at insertion was significantly correlated with IT (-0.51), bone density (-0.48), cortical bone thickness (-0.42) (p < 0.05) in the mandible, but showed no correlation in the maxilla. PTV before removal was significantly correlated with RT (-0.66) (p < 0.01) in the mandible. Conclusions: These results show that the periotest is a useful method for the evaluation of mini-implant stability, but it can only be applied to limited areas with thick cortical and high density bone such as the mandible.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2006

Objective: Small orthodontic mini-implants are useful as anchorage. However they have some weaknesses such as loosening. This study was carried out to analyze the mechanical effects of the dual pitch and diameter on the insertion and removal torque of mini-implants. Methods: The threads of mini-implants were mono and dual pitch. The diameters of mini-implants were 1.4 mm and 1.6 mm. Four groups were tested (mono 1.4 mm, mono 1.6 mm, dual 1.4 mm and dual 1.6 mm). All were inserted and removed on polyurethane foam with the torques being measured. Results: The maximum torque of the dual pitch groups was higher than the mono pitch groups during removal but lower during insertion. The maximum torque of the 1.6 mm diameter groups was higher than the 1.4 mm diameter groups during insertion and removal. The dual pitch 1.4 mm group showed the lowest insertion torque but had similar or superior levels of removal torque to that of the mono pitch 1.6 mm group. Conclusions: The dual pitch especially showed a continuous high removal torque after the peak. Despite the small diameter, the dual pitch might improve the initial mechanical stability.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.1 s.114
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• pp.55-62
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• 2006

Orthodontic mini-implants, despite its usefulness as anchorage, have some limits such as loosening. Therefore, various shapes and lengths have been studied. The aim of this study is to analyze the shape and length of mini-implants mechanically. The shapes of mini-implants (1.6 mm, Dual Top, Jeil Medical Co., Seoul, Korea) were cylindrical and taper. The lengths of mini-implants were 6 mm and 8 mm. The tested groups were 5 groups (cylindrical 6 mm, cylindrical 8 mm, taper 6 mm, taper 8 mm and taper 8 mm modified whose thread is reduced from the middle to upper part). All were inserted and removed on the polyurethane foam with the torque measured. During insertion and removal, the taper shape needed higher torque than the cylindrical shape, and the 8 mm length than the 6 mm length (p<0.001). The taper 6mm group showed superior insertion torque (p<0.001) and similar removal torque to the cylindrical 8 mm group. The taper 8 mm modified group with gradually reduced threads, showed continuous high removal torque after the peak. The initial mechanical stability can be provided by the tapered shape and also, affected by length and thread design.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.268-279
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare self-drilling orthodontic mini-implants of different surfaces, namely, machined (untreated), etched (acid-etched), RBM (treated with resorbable blasting media) and hybrid (RBM + machined), with respect to the following criteria: physical appearance of the surface, measurement of surface roughness, and insertion pattern. Methods: Self-drilling orthodontic mini-implants (Osstem implant, Seoul, Korea) with the abovementioned surfaces were obtained. Surface roughness was measured by using a scanning electron microscope and surface-roughness-testing machine, and torque patterns and vertical loadings were measured during continuous insertion of mini-implants into artificial bone (polyurethane foam) by using a torque tester of the driving-motor type (speed, 12 rpm). Results: The mini-implants with the RBM, hybrid, and acid-etched surfaces had slightly increased maximum insertion torque at the final stage ($p$ < 0.05). Implants with the RBM surface had the highest vertical load for insertion ($p$ < 0.05). Testing for surface roughness revealed that the implants with the RBM and hybrid surfaces had higher Ra values than the others ($p$ < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the implants with the RBM surface had the roughest surface. Conclusions: Surface-treated, self-drilling orthodontic mini-implants may be clinically acceptable, if controlled appropriately.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.328-336
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the torque resistance to removal of sandblasted large grit and acid etched (SLA) surface treated orthodontic mini-implants and smooth surface orthodontic mini-implants as well as performing histologic observations. Methods: Two groups of custom screw shaped orthodontic mini-implants (C-implant, 1.8 mm outer diameter $\times$ 9.5 mm length, Cimplant, Seoul, Korea) were designated. 22 SLA treated C-implants (SLA group) and 22 machined surface C-implants (machined group) were placed in the tibia metaphysis of 11 adult New Zealand white rabbits. Following a 6-week healing period, the rabbits were sacrificed. Subsequently, the C-implants were removed under reverse torque rotation with a digital torque measuring device and independent t-test was performed. Selected tissues were prepared for histologic observation. Results: The SLA group presented a higher mean removal torque value (6.286 Ncm) than the machined group (4.491 Ncm) which was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Histologic observation revealed a trend of more new bone formation in contact with the screw surface in the SLA group than the smooth group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that SLA surface treatment can enhance the osseintegration potential for C-orthodontic mini-implants.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of length and shape of cutting flute on mechanical properties of orthodontic mini-implants. Methods: Three types of mini-implants with different flute patterns (Type A with 2.6 mm long flute, Type B with 3.9 mm long and straight flute, Type C with 3.9 mm long and helical flute) were inserted into the biomechanical test blocks (Sawbones Inc., USA) with 2 mm and 4 mm cortical bone thicknesses to test insertion and removal torque. Results: In 4 mm cortical bone thickness, Type C mini-implants showed highest maximum insertion torque, then Type A and Type B in order. Type C also showed shortest total insertion time and highest maximum removal torque, but Type A and B didn't showed statistically significant difference in insertion time and removal torque. In 2 mm cortical bone thickness, there were no significant difference in total insertion time and maximum removal torque in three types of mini-implants, but maximum insertion torque of Type A was higher than two other Types of mini-implants. Conclusions: Consideration about length and shape of cutting flute of mini-implant is also required when the placement site has thick cortical bone.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.397-406
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical guidelines to indicate the best location for mini-implants as it relates to the cortical bone thickness and root proximity. Methods: CT images from 14 men and 14 women were used to evaluate the buccal interradicular cortical bone thickness and root proximity from mesial to the central incisor to the 2nd molar. Cortical bone thickness was measured at 4 different angles including $0^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, and $45^{\circ}$. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in cortical bone thickness between the second premolar/first permanent molar site, central incisor/central incisor site, between the first/second permanent molar site and in the anterior region. A statistically significant difference in cortical bone thickness was also found when the angulation of placement was increased except for the 2 mm level from the alveolar crest. Interradicular spaces at the 1st/2nd premolar, 2nd premolar/1st permanent molar and 1st/2nd permanent molar sites are considered to be wide enough for mini-implant placement without root damage. Conclusions: Given the limits of this study, mini-implants for orthodontic anchorage may be well placed at the 4 and 6 mm level from the alveolar crest in the posterior region with a $30^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$ angulation upon placement.