STABILITY OF ORTHODONTIC MINI-SCREWS AND DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE LEVELS OF RESIDENCY TRAINING OF STUDENTS

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between the stability of orthodontic mini-screws with different experience levels of residency training of students. Materials and methods: A total of 240 mini-screws with a diameter of 1.3 mm, and a length of 7 mm were inserted by orthodontic residents in the first, second, third, and fourth years. Stability was assessed after one month of application of orthodontic load. Chi-square tests were used to analyze data. P value ?.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 240 implants, 172 were found to be stable and 68 were unstable after one month among different resident levels. There was a significant association between the stability of mini-screws and different experience levels of postgraduate residents. For first-year residents, stability was 53.8%, for second-year residents 27.3%, for the third year 93.3%, and the fourth year 90.5%. The association between the placement site of mini-screws and different levels of postgraduate residents was also significant and the highest number of stable mini-screws were found in maxilla and posterior mandible placed by fourth-year residents, and the least stable for second-year residents. Conclusion: The experience level of residents is a significant factor in the stability of mini-screws and site-specific stability is higher in the maxilla and posterior mandible for fourth-year residents. Key Words: Anchorage, Insertion site, Maxilla, Mandible, Orthodontists, Stability, Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs).