INTRODUCTION

Orthodontists consistently pursue accessories or techniques that provide reliable anchorage, and alternatives that reduce patient compliance. Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) were designed to optimize orthodontic treatment results by ensuring the desired tooth stabilization at several treatment stages.^[1] The first TADs were inserted in the intra-alveolar area, which may interfere with certain treatment plans, particularly when mass movement in the sagittal direction is intended.^[2] To resolve this problem in orthodontic mechanics, the installation of TADs in an extra-alveolar area was proposed. The placement of these devices in this region allows for the use of larger screws that can be inserted parallel to the axial inclination of the molars without interfering with the roots of the teeth that will be moved.^[3]

For complete lower arch movement assisted by TADs, insertion in the mandibular buccal shelf (MBS) region is indicated. This area is located vestibularly to the lower molars, in front of the mandibular oblique line, and presents a dense cortical bone and suitable thickness for mini-screw installation. It has shown a high success rate and stability of these devices during orthodontic mechanics. The site between the first and second lower molars has been indicated as a safe site in the MBS for TAD insertion;^[4] however, clinically, this location may present insufficient bone thickness for successful insertion or satisfactory primary stability in many cases. In a preliminary tomographic evaluation, a minimum total buccal bone thickness of 5 mm (from the root surface to the most vestibular point of the adjacent cortical bone) of the MBS was necessary for safe extra-alveolar mini-screw insertion.^[5]

Based on the predominance of vertical or horizontal bone growth patterns, different facial types have been classified in the literature as hypodivergent, neutral, and hyperdivergent.^[6,7] It creates distinct morphological characteristics, such as different mean bone thickness in the MBS area,^[8] which can interfere with the procedure of TAD insertion. Studies performed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) aimed at assessing the alveolar cortical plate have observed that hypodivergent patients have a higher dentoalveolar cortical thickness than hyperdivergent patients.^[8-12]

As MBS is indicated for the insertion of extra-alveolar TADs, and each facial type presents specific morphologic bone aspects, this study was performed to verify the safe sites in this area for mini-screw insertion according to the patient’s facial type and the differences between each growth pattern concerning bone thickness in this region.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this retrospective study, 84 full-head CBCT scans were randomly selected from the Orthodontics and Odontopediatrics Department of FOUSP database. The included patients were aged between 18 and 40 years and had all mandibular permanent teeth erupted, no previous orthodontic treatment, no history of surgery or previous trauma in the mandibular area, satisfactory dental and periodontal conditions, and no clinical signs or symptoms of temporomandibular joint disease. This project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the School of Dentistry of FOUSP under protocol number 2.253.955.

The images were collected using a CBCT (I-CAT® Cone Beam 3-D Dental Imaging System, Imaging Sciences International, Hartefield, USA) with a 0.4 mm voxel resolution and evaluated in a specific software (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, CA, USA). The natural head position on these tomographic images was adjusted to coincide with the true horizontal plane^[13] to reduce errors in head position during image acquisition. Therefore, each time these data were accessed, the head position remained the same. Subsequently, a two-dimensional lateral reproduction of the head was obtained from this scan for cephalometric tracing.

The Jarabak Index (the ratio of S-Go and N-Me)^[6,7] was adopted to determine the facial type of each patient after cephalometric analysis and was then organized into three groups: Group 1, hyperdivergent facial type–prevalence of vertical vector of facial growth; Group 2, neutral facial type– neutral facial type: Balance of vertical and horizontal facial growth vectors; and Group 3, hypodivergent facial type– prevalence of horizontal vector of facial growth.

To evaluate the bone thickness on the MBS, the appraisal was performed bilaterally in axial slices at distances of 3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm apically from a reference line passing through the mesial and distal cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the evaluated tooth [Figure 1a] at the following sites: (1) first molar mesial root, (2) first molar distal root, (3) between the first and second molars, (4) second molar mesial root, and (5) second molar distal root [Figure 1b]. The thickness was horizontally measured^[5,9-12] at each of these sites, from the midpoint of the root to the most vestibular point of the adjacent alveolar cortical bone. To measure the distance on the site located between the first and second molars, a line was drawn from the distal root of the first molar to the mesial root of the second molar, and the thickness from the midpoint of this line to the most vestibular point of the adjacent cortical bone was measured. All measurements were done by the same radiologist, experienced in CBCT assessments.

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Figure 1:

(a) Sagittal tomographic image with markings at 3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm apical from the cementoenamel junction (b) and axial slice at the respective markings.

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RESULTS

The primary results showed no statistically significant mean difference in the ages of the patients between the three groups (P = 0.947) and no correlation between sex and facial type (P = 0.651).

[Table 1] describes the mean values and respective standard deviations of the patients in Group 1 (hyperdivergent). All measurements showed statistically significant differences between the evaluated sites (P <0.001). The measurements at the site located at the second molar distal root, 9 mm from the CEJ, were > 5 mm.

[Table 2] describes the mean values and standard deviations for Group 2 (neutral). All measures differed significantly between sites (P < 0.001). The measurements in the second molar distal root, 6 and 9 mm from the CEJ, showed values > 5 mm. [Table 3] describes the mean values and standard deviations of the participants in Group 3 (hypodivergent). All measures differed significantly between sites (P < 0.001). Measurements of the second molar mesial root, 9 mm from the CEJ, and the second molar distal root, 6 and 9 mm from the CEJ, showed values > 5 mm.

DISCUSSION

Anchorage is invariably a critical factor in obtaining satisfactory orthodontic treatment results. Over the years, new strategies have been proposed to improve effectiveness. Skeletal anchorage has emerged to achieve this goal. TADs have been widely incorporated into orthodontic treatment to expand the limits of tooth movement and reduce the need for patient compliance.^[1-4] The selection of the insertion site is primarily based on planned biomechanics and anatomy; however, the facial type may influence the anatomical characteristics of the installation area. Bone thickness is an important anatomical factor during the insertion of an orthodontic screw, and several studies have used CBCT to assess bone quality and quantity to determine the most favorable position.^{[4,5,8-12,16,17]}

The MBS has become a frequent site of insertion of TADs in the lower arch. This region is a secure location for the installation of extra-alveolar TADs due to its cortical bone density and total bone thickness, offering clinical advantages over interradicular insertion.^[3,4,8] In MBS, the screw is inserted parallel to the long axis of the molar to avoid contact with the roots during installation and dental movement, with success rates of over 90% and excellent results.^[3] Therefore, it is prudent to evaluate the total buccal bone thickness (including cancellous and cortical bone)^[5,9-12,17] so that the TAD can be completely inserted into the bone to avoid touching the dental roots.

Safe TAD installation in the MBS requires a minimum buccal bone thickness of 5 mm, as stated in a previous study^[5] that assessed this region vertically on the first and second molars at 6 and 11 mm apical to the CEJ; however, the results were not correlated with the patient’s facial type. Our study evaluated patients of the three facial types in the region of the first and second lower molars at distances of 3, 6, and 9 mm apical to the CEJ. The reference point is usually measured either from the alveolar bone crest^[4,10,11] or the CEJ.^{[5,9,12,16,17]} Our assessment used the CEJ as a reference to avoid possible interferences concerning eventual bone losses affecting alveolar crest heights, which could negatively interfere with the results.

Differences were found in vestibular alveolar bone thickness among the facial types. In the hyperdivergent group [Table 1], a minimum buccal bone thickness of 5 mm was observed bilaterally at the distal root of the second molar, 9 mm from the CEJ [Figure 2a]. In the neutral group [Table 2], the measurements in the second molar distal root bilaterally presented sufficient buccal bone thickness at 6 mm, as similarly reported in a previous study,^[5] and 9 mm apical to the CEJ [Figure 2b]. In the hypodivergent group [Table 3], in addition to the second molar distal root, at 6 and 9 mm from the CEJ, the site located on the mesial root of the second molar, 9 mm apical to the CEJ, also presented a sufficient buccal bone thickness for safe TAD installation on the MBS [Figure 2c]. These results are comparable to those of another study^[4] that evaluated CBCT scans of class III patients, in which the authors did not mention the facial type; however, patients with class III malocclusion tend to present a hypodivergent growth pattern with a large mandible,^[18] which may justify the similar result found in Group 3 of our study. Only the site in the second molar distal root 9 mm from the CEJ was common to the three groups due to its safety for TAD installation, similar to the results of other studies^[9-12,16,17] that assessed the MBS.

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Figure 2:

Safe sites for mandibular buccal shelf mini-screw insertion. (a) Hyperdivergent patients; (b) neutral patients; (c) and hypodivergent patients.

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In Group 1 (hyperdivergent), the sites situated on the second molar mesial root 9 mm from the CEJ and on the second molar distal root 6 mm from the CEJ presented almost sufficient bone thickness for safe TAD installation, with an increased standard deviation. The same was observed in Group 2 on the mesial root of the second molar 9 mm from the CEJ. This characteristic indicates that, in some patients in these groups, these three sites may be considered safe for TAD installation in the MBS; however, individual tomographic evaluation^[16] is required for confirmation.

Bone assessment in the MBS region showed a progressive increase in thickness toward the second molar area and apical direction in the three groups [Tables 1-3], regardless of the facial type, and these differences were statistically significant at the sites observed. Similarly, this characteristic was described previously in studies using CBCT scans, and a pattern of increased bone thickness in the MBS during the evaluation of the lower and posterior regions was also observed.^[5,16] Hypodivergent patients present with greater cortical and spongy bone thickness than hyperdivergent patients, regardless of their malocclusion classification.^[8-12] Our study also observed a tendency for higher values in hypodivergent patients, considering that Group 3 showed a greater number of safe sites for TAD insertion in the MBS. It is important to remember that we assessed the total buccal alveolar bone thickness instead of dividing it into cortical and spongy bone ^[8-12,17] pretending to provide sites with adequate bone thickness for TAD installation, as this area usually presents a suitable cortical bone thickness for primary TAD stability.

A critical question is about the sites located 9 mm from the CEJ because, at this distance, there is a chance of the movable mucosa being penetrated or the mucogingival junction being touched.^[3,19] Although this may cause concerns, the success rates of extra-alveolar TADs inserted into the attached gingiva or movable mucosa are similar.^[3,19] Orthodontists should consider using longer screws when the insertion site is in the movable mucosa; this will be useful throughout the treatment once the active head remains out of the mucosa. Since this area may be difficult to reach, contra-angle motorized instruments should be helpful to ensure the correct TAD angulation.

As the assessment of alveolar bone thickness is delicate, CBCT scans should be performed with a reduced field of view (FOV); therefore, the voxel size decreases, and the image quality improves. This study was conducted with the existing tomographic images performed in a larger FOV and following the “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” principle, which produced a voxel size of 0.4 mm. This voxel size was appropriate for these appraisals, as observed in previous studies.^[20]

An appropriate placement site is essential for stability. This study evaluated the buccal bone thickness in the MBS to determine safe areas for its insertion; however, the orthodontist should be attentive to other factors that may influence the stability of these screws.

CONCLUSION

After evaluating the results obtained in this study, the sites that can be considered secure for the insertion of MBS mini-screws are the second molar distal root 9 mm apical from the CEJ in hyperdivergent facial type patients, the second molar distal root 6 mm and 9 mm apical from the CEJ in neutral facial type patients, and the second molar mesial root 9 mm apical from the CEJ and the second molar distal root 6 mm and 9 mm apically from the CEJ in hypodivergent facial type patients.