Assessment of available sites for palatal orthodontic mini-implants through cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

Objective To measure the palatal thickness of both hard and soft tissues and to determine safe regions for the placement of mini-implants. The influences of sex and age on palatal thickness were also examined. Materials and Methods Cone-beam computed tomography images of 30 patients (12 males, 18 females), including 15 adults and 15 adolescents, were used in this study. The thicknesses of palatal hard tissue, soft tissue, and hard+soft tissues were measured at the coronal planes of first premolars, second premolars, first molars, and second molars (P1, P2, M1, and M2 planes, respectively). Results The hard tissue was thickest at the P1 plane, followed by at the P2, M1, and M2 planes, while the thickness of soft tissue was similar among the four planes. The trends in the changes of palatal thickness from midline to the lateral sides (V-pattern) were similar for the four planes. Palatal thickness was influenced by sex, age, and their interaction. Mapping of recommended and optimal sites for palatal mini-implants was accomplished. Conclusions Sex and age factors could influence palatal thickness. Therefore, the findings might be helpful for clinicians in guiding them to choose the optimal sites for palatal mini-implants.

Quantitative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the midpalatal suture region to facilitate orthodontic mini-implant placement

“…Because male and female patients have different growth patterns, the patient’s age and sex are important factors for determining the optimal implant placement site. Although several studies 8 , 9 have evaluated the hard tissue thickness of the palate, few have assessed the thickness of the soft tissue in the median and paramedian regions of the palate or investigated the influences of age and sex in terms of mini-implant insertion in these regions. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to measure the hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the median and paramedian regions of the palate, which are primarily favored for mini-implant insertion, and to evaluate the influences of age and sex on these thicknesses.…”

Dental arch changes after anterior open bite treatment in the mixed dentition produced by miniscrew-supported palatal crib vs conventional fixed palatal crib:

“…Another factor to be considered was the participant's age; most of the studies were conducted on adolescents or adults, whereas in this trial the patients were still young, and the palatal bone might not have been dense enough. 17 In summary, the results of this clinical trial revealed that both the CFPC and the MSPC appliances resulted in similar improvement in the amount of AOB closure that occurred as a result of the extrusion of the incisors. A few patients developed a lip-trap habit, which led to an increase in the amount of overjet as well as the amount of crowding in the mandibular anterior segment.…”

Custom fabrication of cast splint microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion appliances for treatment of maxillary deficiency in young adults

“…A recent study by Lyu et al [10] showed that the thicknesses of hard tissue and hard plus soft tissue at the first premolar plane were thickest among the four planes, followed by those at the second premolar molar, and second molar planes. In our design, the implant position is usually chosen between first premolar and first molar, 4-8 mm away from the midpalatal suture at the thickest part of palatal bone.…”

“…From the standpoint of mini-implant stability, the posterior two mini-implants are susceptible to loosening and failure in adolescent female patients due to inadequate palatal bone support. [10] us, hybrid bone-borne and toothborne palatal expanders with four palatal mini-implants are recommended for adolescents who require treatment with MARPE appliances.…”