Journal of implantology and applied sciences ISSN:2765-7833(Print) 2765-7841(Online) 대한구강악안면임플란트학회지

Mini-implant is mostly indicated for transitional or long-term stabilization of maxillary and mandibular tissue-supported denture and for rehabilitation of single or multiple anterior missing cases in limited alveolar anatomy. This retrospective study investigated mini-implants which are used under these indications. Over a 4-year period, 196 Mini Drive-Lock (MDLTM‚) and MiloTM‚ (Intra-Lock system, Intra-Lock international Inc.) mini-implants in 58 patients were placed by modified technique which is minimally occurring the dead bone of peri implant, using the surgical stent for mini-implant placement functionally and esthetically. Regardless of any prosthesis design, all mini-implants were loaded progressively, with hypofunctional loading in removable cases and avoiding occlu sion in fixed cases. Based to a well-established set of implant success criteria, mini-implant survival was investigated. Three mini-implants that fractured during placement were excluded in the number of mini-implant placed. The duration of follow-up was from 1 year to 4 years. All mini-implants supported 29 fixed prostheses and 44 removable prostheses. It was placed 141 in the mandible and 55 in the maxilla, respectively. The overall implant survival rate was 93.3%, showing lower survival rate of 83% in the posterior maxilla and 90% in removable cases. Nineteen mini-implants removed were attributed to mobility, due to the initial disintegration and overloading at function. Based on these results, it is concluded that mini-implants supported favorable in both fixed and removable prostheses. However, it is applied prudently in the atrophic posterior maxilla and in limited lower removable cases occluding canted occlusal plane due to the differential extrusion of upper posterior dentition.