Primary stability of orthodontic mini-implants inserted into maxilla and mandible of swine.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the primary stability of different orthodontic mini-implants inserted into different maxillary and mandibular regions of swine. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred eighty orthodontic mini-implants produced by 5 different manufacturers, all presenting several shapes, were divided into 5 groups: Mondeal (M), Neodent (N), SIN (S), INP, and Titanium Fix (T). Fifteen pigs (Sus scrofa piau) were used for study and 12 mini-implants were inserted into 3 mandibular and maxillary regions. After insertion, the animals were killed and osseous blocks containing the mini-implants were obtained for mechanical pullout tests to be performed by a universal test machine at cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/s. Maximum force values (N/cm) for insertion were recorded and submitted to both analysis of variance and Tukey's test. RESULTS The primary stability provided by cylindrical mini-implants (groups M and I) was statistically significantly superior to that of conical mini-implants (groups N and S). On the other hand, screw-type mini-implants were shown to be statistically inferior compared with the others (P < .05). Statistical differences between pullout forces at different oral cavity regions were also found (P < .05). The mini-implants inserted into palatal suture had lesser stability, whereas those inserted into upper molar and premolar regions were shown to be more stable. CONCLUSIONS The shape of mini-implants, in association with location of insertion, is directly related to primary stability.