Effects of pilot hole size on miniscrew insertion torque and synthetic bone transparency

All surgical screws can experience failure if the torsional, tensile, and flexion loads exerted on the screws are excessively high. The use of self-tapping screws (STS) results in higher insertion torques (IT) as these screws cut their own threads in the pilot hole drilled in the bone. In this study, the torque for inserting the STS into an osteoporotic bone block for different pilot hole sizes (PHS) was measured and the pullout strength (PS) for extraction of the screws was determined for different depths of insertion, 0 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm beyond the far cortex. Seventy-two Synthes stainless steel STS (40 mm length and 3.5 mm diameter) were inserted into pilot holes of sizes 2.55 (A: 73% OD), 2.50 (B: 71.5%), 2.45 (C: 70%), and 2.8 mm (D: 80%). Using a digital torque screwdriver, screws were inserted to 0 mm, 1 mm or 2 mm past the far cortex. Pullout tests were conducted with an Instron materials testing system. Analysis of variance and Student-Neuman-Keuls tests were performed to determine the effect of DOI and PHS on the loading energy, PS, and IT. Results demonstrated that IT of the screws inserted into pilot holes A, B, and C were higher than those in D. It was also observed that PS and loading energy for 1 mm and 2 mm penetration past the far cortex were higher than those for 0 mm regardless of PHS. This study also found that an increase in PHS to 2.8 mm will reduce IT but will also reduce the PS relative to a PHS of 2.5 mm, the current standard for 3.5 mm screws. The results of previously published studies regarding the effect of pilot hole size on PS in healthy cortical bone cannot be applied to the osteoporotic environment. The findings presented in this research support using PHS no larger than 71.5% of the screw outer diameter (i.e., pilot hole size of 2.5 mm for 3.5 mm screws) and inserting screws at least 2 mm beyond the far cortex to maximize PS and minimize iatrogenic damage in osteoporotic bone.

The failure rate of orthodontic mini-screws depends strongly on primary stability and, thus, on insertion torque. Further improvement regarding the failure rate might be achieved by modifying the surface coating. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the stability of anewly designed and surface-modified orthodontic mini-screw in beagle dogs. Newly designed mini-screws coated either with DOTIZE® or DOTIZE®-copper (DOT GmbH, Rostock, Germany; each: n = 24) were inserted in the mandibles of eight beagle dogs for aduration of 8months. Insertion and removal torque were measured. These data were compared to values generated by using the artificial bone material Sawbones® (Sawbones Europe AB, Malmö, Sweden). Experiments with and without torque limitation (each: n = 5) were run. The bone-to-implant contact rate and the amount of bone between the threads were examined. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The success rates of the in vivo study reached high levels with 95.3% for the DOTIZE-coated and 90.5% for the DOTIZE-copper-coated screws, whereas the insertion and removal torque did not differ between the coatings. During insertion, atorque limitation of 20 Ncm was necessary to ensure that the recommended limit was not exceeded. The insertion in Sawbones without torque limitation revealed asignificantly higher torque compared to torque-limited insertion (18.2 ± 1.3 Ncm, 23.6 ± 1.3 Ncm). Bending occurred (n = 5) in the thread-free part of the mini-screw. Surface coating might be able to improve the performance of orthodontic mini-screws. The study showed high success rates and stable mini-screws until the end of observation. Further investigations are necessary.

The aim of this biomechanical study was to assess the interrelated effect of both surface roughness and surgical technique on the primary stability of dental implants. For the experiment, 160 screw-designed implants (Biocomp), with either a machined or an etched surface topography, were inserted into polyurethane foam blocks (Sawbones). As an equivalent of trabecular bone, a density of 0.48 g/cm(3) was chosen. To mimic the cortical layer, on top of these blocks short-fibre-filled epoxy sheets were attached with a thickness varying from 0 to 2.5 mm. The implant sites were prepared using either a press-fit or an undersized technique. To measure the primary stability of the implant, both the insertion and the removal torques were scored. Independent of the surgical technique used, both implant types showed an increased insertion and removal torque values with increasing cortical thickness, although >2 mm cortical layer no further increase in insertion torque was observed. In the models with only trabecular bone (without cortical layer) and with a 1 mm cortical layer, both implant types showed a statistically higher insertion and removal torque values for undersized compared with the press-fit technique. In addition, etched implants showed a statistically higher insertion and removal torque mean values compared with machined implants. In the models with 2 and 2.5 mm cortical layers, with respect to the insertion torque values, no effect of either implantation technique or implant surface topography could be observed. The placement of etched implants in synthetic bone models using an undersized preparation technique resulted in enhanced primary implant stability. A correlation was found between the primary stability and the cortical thickness. However, at or above a cortical thickness of 2 mm, the effect of both an undersized surgical approach, as also the presence of a roughened (etched) implant surface, had no extra effect. Besides the mechanical aspects, the biological effect of undersized drilling, i.e. the bone response on the extra insertion torque forces should also be elucidated. Therefore, additional in vivo studies are needed.

In-vitro comparison of different palatal sites for orthodontic miniscrew insertion: Effect of bone quality and quantity on primary stability.

Objective: Mini-screws have widely been used as a temporary anchorage device. We previously reported the importance of insertion torque for primary implant stability. However, it remains unclear whether or not the destruction of cortical bone surrounding the mini-screw depends on the magnitude of the insertion torque, and whether or not the destroyed bone can be repaired around titanium alloy miniscrews. Materials and Methods: Self-drilling type titanium alloy mini-screws were placed into the rat maxillary bone. Insertion torque and screw diameter were varied and their effect on primary stability of miniscrew was evaluated. Bone remodeling around the mini-screw and the ratio of osteoid and calcified bones was examined using Villanueva bone staining on each section. Moreover, during the experimental period, the tensile strength of the implanted screw was measured. Results: Irrespective of the diameter of micro-implants which were implanted with 5-10 N.cm insertion torque were in close contact with the cortical bone, whereas the cortical bone was broken when implants were inserted with 15-20 N.cm insertion torque. While using the 15-20 N.cm insertion torque, the screw surface did not exhibit close contact with the cortical bone and osteoid was increased at 56 d after implantation. Furthermore, tensile strength of the bone in the 15-20 N.cm insertion torque group remained lower than in the 5-10 N.cm group through an experiment period. Conclusions: Our findings emphasized that we should use an optimal insertion torque at 5-10 N.cm for mini-screw implantation to establish primary stability.

Probing and Tapping: Are We Inserting Pedicle Screws Correctly?

Distribution and amount of stresses caused by insertion or removal of orthodontic miniscrews into the maxillary bone: A finite element analysis

To compare insertion temperatures and torques of Hydroxyapatite (HA) coated and uncoated 5.5 mm AO cortical screws in equine third metatarsal bones (MTIII) in vitro, and to compare insertion and extraction torques of HA coated and uncoated screws after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of healing in equine third metacarpal bones (MCIII) in vivo. No significant temperature differences were recorded in cadaveric bones for AO and HA coated screws. Insertion torques were significantly higher for HA coated implants compared to uncoated screws. In vivo, the AO screws lost 50% of their initial stability within 4 weeks of healing and failed to gain stability over the next 12 weeks. The HA screws maintained stability (at 4 weeks), and roughly doubled (at 8 weeks) and tripled (at 12 weeks) their insertional torques over time. HA coated screws can safely be inserted in equine cortical bone. AO cortical stainless steel screws fail to maintain stability in equine cortical bone. The addition of HA coating to the screws enables active osseointegration over 3 months of healing, as indicated by significantly higher extractional torques after 8, 12 and 16 weeks respectively. Screw failure can occur under acute load and cyclic fatigue indicating the need for improved stability in the equine patient. HA coating, leading to active osseointegration, is commonly used in human implants for this purpose. Varying results in equine models led to guarded acceptance of implant coatings amongst equine surgeons. Our results support the osseointegrative properties of HA coated screws in horses.

Pedicle screw fixation strength: pullout versus insertional torque

Effects of pilot holes on longitudinal miniscrew stability and bony adaptation

The aim of this study was to suggest a design for an orthodontic miniscrew which may work most favorably in the thin cortical bone of the adolescent. In this study, orthodontic miniscrews with different diameters, lengths, and body types were manufactured and implanted in two artificial bone samples with different cortical bone thickness. Maximum insertion torque, maximum removal torque, and lateral alteration torque were measured. As a result, the bone quality, body type, diameter, and the length all had their effects on the maximum insertion torque, maximum removal torque, and lateral alteration torque. Cortical bone thickness was the most important factor. In initial stability, conical types showed better results than cylindrical types. Increase in the diameter had favorable effects in achieving mechanical stability. Increase in the length did not have as much influence as the other factors did on the initial stability, but there was a statistically significant difference between screws of 6 mm and 8 mm lengths(p

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to compare the initial implant stability obtained using four different osteotomy techniques in low-density synthetic bone, to evaluate the instrument design in comparison to the implant design, and to determinate a possible correlation between the insertion torque and initial stability quotient (ISQ).Materials and methodsFour groups were identified in accordance with the osteotomy technique used (n = 10 implants per group): group G1, osteotomy using the recommended drilling sequence; group G2, osteotomy using an undersized compactor drill; group G3, osteotomy using an undersized drill; and group G4, osteotomy using universal osseodensification drills. Two polyurethane blocks were used: block 1, with a medullary portion of 10 pounds per cubic foot (PCF 10) and with a 1 mm cortical portion of PCF 40, and block 2, with a medullary of PCF 15 and with a 2 mm cortical portion of PCF 40. Tapered implants of 4 mm in diameter and 11 mm in length were used. The insertion torque (IT) and ISQ were measured. The dimensions of the final instrument used in each group and the dimensions of the implant were used to calculate the total area of each part, and these data were compared.ResultsDifferences between the four groups were found for IT and ISQ values depending on the technique used for the osteotomy in the two synthetic bone models (p < 0.0001). All groups showed lower values of initial stability in block 1 than in block 2.ConclusionsUndersized osteotomies with instruments designed according to the implant body significantly increased the initial stability values compared to beds prepared with universal drills and using the drilling sequence standardized by the manufacturer.

The increasing demand for orthodontic treatment over recent years has led to a growing need for the retrieval and reuse of titanium-based miniscrews to reduce the cost of treatment, especially in patients with early treatment failure due to insufficient primary stability. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate differences in the primary stability between initially inserted and re-inserted miniscrews within different cortical bone densities. Artificial bone was used to simulate cortical bone of different densities, namely 20, 30, 40, and 50 pound per cubic foot (pcf), where primary stability was evaluated based on maximum insertion torque (MIT), maximum removal torque (MRT), horizontal resistance, and micromotion. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate morphological changes in the retrieved miniscrews. The MIT, MRT, horizontal resistance, and micromotion was better in samples with higher cortical bone density, thereby indicating better primary stability (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant reduction of MIT, MRT, and horizontal resistance was observed during re-insertion compared with the initial insertion, especially in the higher density cortical bone groups. However, there was no significant change in micromotion. While higher cortical bone density led to better primary stability, it also caused more abrasion to the miniscrews, thereby decreasing the primary stability during re-insertion.

It may be difficult to achieve primary stability in the posterior maxilla because of poor quality and quantity of bone. Studies have shown that the osteotome technique immediately increases bone density thereby increasing primary stability. An in vitro study was conducted to compare the stability achieved by the osteotome and conventional drilling techniques in low density bone. Forty endosseous implant fixtures (n = 40) were inserted in a solid rigid polyurethane block simulating low density (D3) bone. The implants were divided into 4 groups to test 2 variables: (1) implant length (10 mm or 13 mm) and (2) preparation of osteotomy (conventional drilling or osteotome technique). Insertion torque (IT) and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) were measured for each implant. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test was done to study IT and RFA data of the 4 groups. Pearson Correlation test was used to determine the correlation between IT and RFA values of the implants. The IT and RFA values were statistically significant higher using the osteotome technique as compared to conventional drilling (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant higher values were also found for IT and RFA of 13 mm implants as compared to 10 mm implants. A significant correlation was found between insertion torque and RFA values in all 4 groups (r = 0.86, P < 0.0001). The conclusion was that the osteotome technique significantly increased primary stability.

Primary implant stability is a critical factor for successful osseointegration and long-term implant success. This study investigates the impact of drilling protocol modifications on primary stability, considering different bone qualities and implant macro-designs, lengths, and diameters. Three implant designs-two parallel-walled and one tapered-were tested with diameters ranging from 3.4 to 5.2 mm and lengths from 7.5 to 14.5 mm. Implants were placed in polyurethane foam blocks simulating different bone densities (10, 15, 25, and 35 PCF). A standard drilling protocol was used in all groups, with modifications based on bone quality: overpreparation in dense bone and underpreparation in softer bone. Primary stability was evaluated using insertion torque (IT). The optimal IT range was defined as 25-50 Ncm, based on clinical guidelines for immediate loading. The influence of drilling protocol adaptations on stability parameters was assessed. Insertion torque was primarily influenced by bone density and implant diameter, with implant length playing a minor role. In dense bone (D1, D2), underpreparation improved torque values, especially in smaller implants, while overpreparation reduced them. The highest torques occurred with 5.2 mm implants, sometimes exceeding 80 Ncm. Standard protocols did not consistently achieve optimal torque across implant types. In soft bone (D3), underpreparation-particularly with tapered implants-was modestly beneficial. In very soft bone (D4), none of the protocols reliably reached the desired torque range. Adapting drilling protocols to bone density improves insertion torque, especially with wider implants and in denser bone. Underpreparation is generally more effective than overpreparation. However, in very soft bone, neither implant geometry nor drilling adaptations reliably achieve optimal primary stability, highlighting the need for additional strategies.