Prospective Study of Oral Health, Pain and Discomfort and Success Rates Following Insertion of Orthodontic Mini-Implants

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate oral health and compare the experience of pain and discomfort after the insertion of mini-implants TADs (temporary anchorage device) and to analyze potential factors associated with the stability of TADs used for orthodontic treatment in a sample of Erbil city orthodontics patients.
 Methods: The sample included 47 patients of both genders (24 females, 23 males) between (13-35) years with mean ages 23.73 years. The patients were treated with fixed orthodontic appliance and TADs were inserted to reinforce anchorage as the cases required. The patients recall was performed for examination and recording through a questionnaire at baseline, few hours (evening), one day, one week and two weeks after TADs insertion. The inserted side of TADs was recorded by the researcher in anterior maxilla or mandible and posterior maxilla or mandible.
 Results: The overall success rate was 85.1%. There were no significant relations in failure rates among the TADs related to the following variables: gender, pain (discomfort), implantation site (maxilla, mandible), location (anterior or posterior), and type of soft tissue (keratinized or non- keratinized mucosa). In the second week of TADs insertion females that complain from no pain was 43.3% versus 56.6% of males while moderate pain complain in the females was 64.7% versus 35.3% for males The success rates for non-inflamed gingiva around TADs were 96.3% in the second week post- insertion with significant differences during 1st and 2nd weeks post-insertion (P=0.020 and P=0.042 subsequently). An increased failure rate was noted for those presented with local inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue, especially those cases which loaded within 2 weeks after TADs insertion.
 Conclusions: Inflammation of soft tissue surrounding a TADs and immediate loading (within 2 weeks) after insertion were the most significant factors affecting TADs failure. Gender, pain, age, jaws, soft tissue management, and placement sites are not related to the success of TADs.