Abstract :
Aim: This prospective clinical study was undertaken to evaluate micro-implant stability during the various phases of orthodontic
treatment following micro-implant insertion.
Methods and Material: This study included twenty micro-implants which were inserted in subjects whose treatment plan comprised
of a micro-implant placement in the maxillary posterior region between the roots of first molar and premolar. Microimplant stability was
evaluated using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) method and Implant stability quotient(ISQ) values was recorded after insertion
(T0), during loading (T1), 2 weeks later (T2), 4 weeks later (T3), 6 weeks later (T4) and just before removal of micro-implant (T5) in two
directions perpendicular to each other. All ISQ values were tested for statistically significant differences between the different time
intervals.
Statistical analysis used: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Wilcoxon matched pairs test, Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: From T0 to T5, the overall stability decreased significantly (P < .001) by 5.08 ± 4.02 ISQ values. Highest RFA changes were
seen from T1 to T2, were the stability decreased highly significantly (P < .001) by 2.66 ± 2.42 ISQ values.
Conclusions: Longitudinal measurement of micro-implant stability using RFA demonstrated overall significant decrease in stability
during the various phases of orthodontic treatment following micro-implant insertion. During 2nd week a significant decrease of the
stability was observed compared to other time intervals. Stability of micro-implant was found to be maximum at 1st week after insertion,
hence early loading of micro-implant will be appropriate.
Key-words: Resonance Frequency Analysis, Implant Stability Quotient, Micro-Implants, Stability.