Fracture strength of orthodontic mini-implants.

Objective:: This study aimed at evaluating the design and dimensions of five different brands of orthodontic mini-implants, as well as their influence on torsional fracture strength.

Methods:: Fifty mini-implants were divided into five groups corresponding to different manufactures (DEN, RMO, CON, NEO, SIN). Twenty-five mini-implants were subjected to fracture test by torsion in the neck and the tip, through arbors attached to a Universal Mechanical Testing Machine.

Morphological evaluation of the active tip of six types of orthodontic mini-implants.

Objective: To morphologically evaluate the active tip of six different types of self-drilling mini-implants for orthodontic anchorage.

Methods: Images of the active tips of the mini-implants were obtained with a Zeiss optical microscope Stemi 200-C, with magnification of 1.6X.

Assessment of enamel damage after removal of ceramic brackets.

Introduction: Since the introduction of ceramic brackets, research has been performed to evaluate enamel damage caused during their removal. One problem in comparing treated and control groups is the absence of assurance that the surfaces were undamaged before the brackets were bonded and debonded, or that superficial treatment applied to the enamel could hinder damage detection. The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate enamel injuries during debonding of 3 types of ceramic brackets.