A CBCT Assessment of Orthodontic Mini-Implant Placement.

Objectives: This study compares the precision of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and two-dimensional radiography for mini-implant implantation.

Materials And Method: For 30 sites (in 15 patients between the ages of 13 and 26 years), the buccal interradicular region among the 2 premolar and 1 molar was found to be the best location for mini-implants. Next, two groups of the mini-implant implantation process were created. Mini-implants were positioned at the CBCT data-identified sites in the CBCT group. Mini-implants were inserted in the RVG group by using two-dimensional digital radiography and a specially constructed guide. To assess the precision of the mini-implant implantation, post-placement CBCT images were acquired. The obtained data were statistically analyzed.

Result: The two groups showed a statistically considerable variation in the mini-implant placement's departure from the optimal height. Due to the smaller interradicular space and decreased convenience in the posterior mandibular area, two out of 15 mini-implants in the RVG group demonstrated root contact in the mandibular jaw.

Conclusion: The two-dimensional intraoral radiograph of the interradicular area provides sufficient information for mini-implant placement even though CBCT accurately visualizes the interradicular space in three dimensions.