Orthodontic Implant Placement System

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Orthodontic Implant Placement System
11 March 2005
D.M. PITTMAN, III, N.C. GEURS, and M.S. REDDY, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
IADR
The advent and high success rate of dental implants has lead to new applications. One application is the utilization of small diameter and length implants as a form of fixed anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. A potential complication of dental implant anchorage is the placement of implants at interproximal sites while avoiding contact with the neighboring root structure.
Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate a radiographic implant planning and positioning system to facilitate orthodontic implant placement.
Methods: Three adhesive foil radiographic materials were developed. The shape of the positioning device was predetermined to be circular or bull's-eye in pattern to make it easy for the clinician when positioning the drill. The pattern was 5 mm in diameter with a 2 mm punch through the center. The foil devices were tested with 20 film exposures, 10 maxillary and 10 mandibular, on human skull phantoms to determine their radiopacity. In addition, the handling characteristic of each material was determined with a visual analog scale.
Results: The mean gray level of the device for group I, II, and III were 71.0¨±4.5, 83.8¨±15.6, 126.2¨±19.7, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between group I and the basal bone gray levels (69.5¨±6.7). Groups II and III were significantly more radiopaque (P<0.01) and were easily visualized. Group III showed the greatest radiographic contrast and was determined to have the best clinical handling.
Conclusions: Use of an adhesive radiopaque foil based positioning system may aid in determining orthodontic implant position and potentially reduce adjacent root trauma.