EVALUATION OF INTER RADICULAR SPACES AND CORTICAL BONE THICKNESS AT COMMON ORTHODONTIC MINI SCREW IMPLANT PLACEMENT SITES USING CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
Miniscrews have been extensively used in orthodontics in the last few years for obtaining absolute orthodontic skeletal anchorage. Many studies have been found in literature addressing the subject. However, there is still no consensus in these studies about the factors that influence the success of miniscrew implants. The aim of this article is to provide an anatomical map for safe placement of miniscrews in maxilla and mandible and palatal region, based on dimensional mapping of the interradicular spaces and cortical bone thickness. CBCT images of 47 pre treatment Kashmiri orthodontic patients were examined. Measurements were made from the distal aspect of the lateral incisor to the mesial aspect of the second molar of maxilla and mandible, at 2, 5, 8, and 11 mm heights from the alveolar crest in each inter radicular area. Palatal bone thickness was measured at 4, 8, 16 and 24 mm from the incisive foramen at the suture and at 3 and 6 mm paramedian to the suture. In the maxilla, the greatest mesiodistal distance was between second premolar and first molar at 11 mm height. The greatest buccolingual alveolar process width and buccal cortical bone thickness were between first and second molar at 11 mm height. The greatest palatal bone thickness was at 4 mm posterior to incisive foramen and 6 mm lateral to the suture. In the mandible, the greatest mesiodistal distance and buccal cortical thickness was between first and second molar at 11 mm height. The greatest buccolingual alveolar process width was between first and second molar at 8 mm height. In the maxilla, the safe and suitable site for placing miniscrew implant was between the second premolar and first molar. In the mandible, the safe and suitable sites are the inter radicular areas between first and second molar.