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Background: In order to obtain satisfactory treatment outcomes, orthodontic space closure frequently requires trustworthy anchoring devices. Because they are easier to install and smaller than regular implants, mini-implants have become a viable option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of regular implants versus mini-implants as orthodontic anchoring devices for closing gaps in a tertiary care context. Methods: A total of 100 patients who needed space closure were split into two groups at random and given regular implants (group B, n = 50) or mini-implants (group A, n = 50). The rate of space closure, anchoring loss, and patient pain were measured using visual analog scales as the primary end measures. Resonance frequency analysis was used to assess implant stability. Based on implant survival and the lack of peri-implant problems, success rates were calculated. Findings: Mini-implants showed much lower rates of patient pain (P < 0.001) and anchoring loss (P < 0.05) than normal implants; however, they did show comparable rates of space closure (P = 0.42). In addition, mini-implants had comparable success rates (P = 0.78) and greater implant stability (P < 0.01) when compared to normal implants. Conclusion: In conclusion, mini-implants have benefits in anchorage preservation, patient comfort, and implant stability over regular implants when used as orthodontic anchoring devices for space closure. They also offer equivalent effectiveness. These results provide credence to the use of mini-implants as practical substitutes in orthodontic practice.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of short implants (

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical response of the peri-implant bone to standard, short-wide, and double mini implants replacing missing molar supporting either hybrid ceramic crowns (Lava Ultimate restorative) or full-metal crowns under two different loading conditions (axial and off-axial loading) using strain gauge analysis. Methods Three single-molar implant designs, (1) single, 3.8-mm (regular) diameter implant, (2) single, 5.8-mm (wide) diameter implant, and (3) two 2.5-mm diameter (double) implants connected through a single-molar crown, were embedded in epoxy resin by the aid of a surveyor to ensure their parallelism. Each implant supported full-metal crowns made of Ni-Cr alloy and hybrid ceramic with standardized dimensions. Epoxy resin casts were prepared to receive 4 strain gauges around each implant design, on the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces. Results were analyzed statistically. Results Results showed that implant design has statistically significant effect on peri-implant microstrains, where the standard implant showed the highest mean microstrain values followed by double mini implants, while the short-wide implant showed the lowest mean microstrain values. Concerning the superstructure material, implants supporting Lava Ultimate crowns had statistically significant higher mean microstrain values than those supporting full-metal crowns. Concerning the load direction, off-axial loading caused uneven distribution of load with statistically significant higher microstrain values on the site of off-axial loading (distal surface) than the axial loading. Conclusions Implant design, superstructure material, and load direction significantly affect peri-implant microstrains.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of short implants (<8 mm length) as an alternative to sinus lift surgery and placement of standard-length implants (10-12 mm length) for rehabilitation of atrophic posterior maxilla. Materials and Methods: In this prospective clinical trial, 26 patients with 6-7 mm of residual alveolar bone height in their atrophic posterior maxilla were randomly divided into two groups (n=13). The test group received short implants without sinus lift surgery while the control group received standard-length implants after maxillary sinus floor augmentation. The bone loss was evaluated at 1 to 2 years after loading of implants on radiographies and the comparison between the two groups was done using chi-square test. Results: At 1 year, two patients (15.4%) in the short implant and one patient (7.7%) in the standard implant group experienced bone loss (P=0.5). At 2 years, four patients (30.8%) in the short implant and two patients (15.4%) in the standard implant group showed bone loss (P=0.4). Conclusion: At 2 years after loading, the bone loss was not significantly different around short and standard-length implants. Short implants appeared to be a suitable alternative to sinus lift surgery and placement of standard-length implants for rehabilitation of atrophic posterior maxilla. However, further studies with longer follow ups are still required to cast a final judgment in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical response of the peri-implant bone to standard, short-wide, and double mini implants replacing missing molar supporting either hybrid ceramic crowns (Lava Ultimate restorative) or full-metal crowns under two different loading conditions (axial and off-axial loading) using strain gauge analysis. Methods: Three single-molar implant designs, (1) single, 3.8-mm (regular) diameter implant, (2) single, 5.8-mm (wide) diameter implant, and (3) two 2.5-mm diameter (double) implants connected through a single-molar crown, were embedded in epoxy resin by the aid of a surveyor to ensure their parallelism. Each implant supported full-metal crowns made of Ni-Cr alloy and hybrid ceramic with standardized dimensions. Epoxy resin casts were prepared to receive 4 strain gauges around each implant design, on the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces. Results were analyzed statistically. Results: Results showed that implant design has statistically significant effect on peri-implant microstrains, where the standard implant showed the highest mean microstrain values followed by double mini implants, while the short-wide implant showed the lowest mean microstrain values. Concerning the superstructure material, implants supporting Lava Ultimate crowns had statistically significant higher mean microstrain values than those supporting full-metal crowns. Concerning the load direction, off-axial loading caused uneven distribution of load with statistically significant higher microstrain values on the site of off-axial loading (distal surface) than the axial loading. Conclusions: Implant design, superstructure material, and load direction significantly affect peri-implant microstrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated standard implant survival and marginal bone loss in the posterior maxilla in a 2 stage-procedure based on retrospective study reporting on implants with a mean follow-up time of 1-10 years of functional loading. There were identified from a search of more than 10 years archive materials. The sample was composed of 126 patients (72 female and 54 males mean age 55) rehabilitated with 536 standard implants in the posterior maxilla between 1999 – 2008. The inclusion criteria were patients in good general health with residual bone height ≥ 10 mm of the posterior maxilla who had been rehabilitated with one to four implants. Second-stage surgery was performed in a mean of 4.3 months post implantation. Implant success was defined according to the criteria of Albrektsson et al. Not only the overall survival rate was analyzed but also the crestal bone loss 1 to 10 years of loading. Bone loss was measured on panoramic radiographs on the mesial and distal of each implant, and the largest value was selected as the bone loss. The influence of implants characteristics (type, length, diameter and coating) on implant failure and complication rates were evaluated. Patient satisfaction with the prosthesis were also evaluated. The total 10 years cumulative survival rate was 94% (32 implants were lost). The mean bone loss around implants in the posterior maxilla after 1 to 10 years of loading was 1.8 mm. All prosthesis of survival implants were stable at the end of observation period. Patients were satisfied with comfortable stability, esthetics and functionality of the prosthesis. Available indications suggest that implants placed in pristine sites enjoy the high long – term survival rates of dental implants.

This study compared the biomechanical responses of 3 single crowns supported by 3 different implants under axial and off-axial loading. A standard implant (3.75 mm diameter, 13 mm length), a mini implant (3 mm diameter, 13 mm length), and a short-wide implant (5.7 mm diameter, 8 mm length) were embedded in epoxy resin by the aid of a surveyor to ensure their parallelism. Each implant supported a full metal crown made of Ni-Cr alloy with standardized dimensions. Strain gauges and finite element analysis (FEA) were used to measure the strain induced under axial and off-axial functional loads of 300 N. Results showed that mini implants recorded the highest microstrains, under both axial and off-axial loading. All implants showed a considerable increase in strain values under off-axial loading. Standard and short-wide implants proved to be preferable in supporting crowns, as the standard implant showed the lowest strains under axial and off-axial loading using FEA simulation, while the short-wide implant showed the lowest strains under nonaxial loading using strain gauge analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent data have shown that short dental implants can be the preferred treatment in most of cases of posterior atrophic alveolar ridges, offering higher survival and lower complication rates than long implants. The survival rates, stability, and marginal bone level changes were compared between short implants (7 and 8.5 mm) and standard-length implants (≥10 mm)., Methods: Prospective observational study in which adult patients requiring ≥1 osseointegrated implants to replace missing teeth were recruited consecutively. A clinical examination was performed on the day the definitive prosthesis was placed and after 6 and 12 months. Implant stability quotient (ISQ), marginal bone level (MBL) changes, and the correlation between these parameters and the characteristics of the implants were evaluated., Results: A total of 99 implants were inserted (47 short, 52 standard) in 74 patients. The 12-month survival rate was 100%. ISQ values showed a similar pattern for both types of implants. No correlation was found between ISQ changes after one year and MBL values, nor between the latter and the characteristics of the implants., Conclusions: With clinical treatment criteria, shorter implants (7 and 8.5 mm in length) can be just as useful as standard-length implants in atrophic alveolar ridges, demonstrating similar rates of survival, stability, and crestal bone loss.