Assessment of immediate loading with mini-implant anchorage in critical anchorage cases between stainless steel versus titanium miniscrew implants: A controlled clinical trial

Anchorage in orthodontics is a decisive factor in progress and outcome of a case. With the advent of mini-implants, great advances have been achieved in terms of absolute anchorage. The following article compares the use of stainless steel and titanium implants in a split mouth, controlled clinical study, having direct in vivo comparison. 10 patients were selected for the same and carefully evaluated. The mini-implants were placed in the buccal mucosa, under local anaesthesia, after radiographic safe zone selection. The loading protocol was standardised with low immediate load, followed by incremental load up to 150g. For the study, the cases planned with en-masse retraction of the anteriors into the premolar space were selected for the uniformity in mechanics. The results are discussed with comparative analysis between the two materials and their success rate individually and in relation to upper and lower jaw respectively. In results, a significant success rate has been found with use of titanium implants, with higher implant failure in upper jaw compared to lower jaw.