Retrospective analysis of mini-implant assisted micro-osteoperforation for accelerating canine movement in adult orthodontics.

Abstract

Background: Traditional orthodontic treatment methods are associated with long treatment durations and patient discomfort. The mini-implant assisted micro-osteoperforation (MOP) has shown great potential in clinical practice, but systematic research on this technology remains limited.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 106 adult patients requiring extraction of both maxillary first premolars were conducted, with patients randomly grouped: experimental group (EG, mini-implant assisted MOP) and control group (CG, conventional orthodontic treatment), with 53 cases in each. Tooth movement distances, root resorption amounts, craniofacial relationship measurement angles (SNA, SNB, ANB), maxillary anterior tooth positions and angles (U1-X, U1-Y, U1-SN), maxillary first molar positions and angles (U6-X, U6-Y, U6-X), and soft tissue angles (NLA) were compared.

Results: The distance of canine movement in the EG was (1.89±0.28) mm after 1 month of force application, and (3.67±0.54) mm after 2 months of force application. In the CG, the distance of canine movement was (0.96±0.32) mm after 1 month of force application, and (1.88±0.34) mm after 2 months of force application. The EG suggested visibly greater canine movement distances one month and two months after force application as against the CG, with visibly lower U1-X and U1-Y angles, and visibly lower U6-X and U6-Y angles (P<0.05). No visible distinctions were noted in soft tissue angles between the EG and the CG one month and two months after force application (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Compared to existing orthodontic treatment methods, implant-supported mini-screw perforation surgery, as an auxiliary approach to accelerate orthodontic treatment, can significantly accelerate tooth movement without significantly increasing the risk of root resorption, and has minimal impact on craniofacial relationships and soft tissues. This finding provides a new and effective adjunct for orthodontic treatment, with the potential to shorten treatment duration and improve the patient experience in clinical practice, making it of significant importance for advancing the development of orthodontic techniques.