IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861. Volume 7, Issue 2 (May.- Jun. 2013), PP 15-20 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 15 | Page Mini- Implant Materials: An Overview Safiya Sana 1 , Manjunath G 2 , 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Al-Badar Dental college and hospital, Gulbarga, India 2 Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Al-Badar Dental college and hospital, Gulbarga, India Abstract: Purpose: The aim of the present investigation was to review and evaluate the current literature on the mini-implants in orthodontics with regard to their materials properties. The ultimate aim of biomaterials as applied to mini-implants is to serve as efficient temporary anchorage devices. The attainment of this objective is dependent upon a complex interplay of material properties, device design, and physiologic requirements. It is the orthodontist’s responsibility to understand both the materials and structural limitations of these devices and the principles of application to minimize performance failure. Manufacturers use six different titanium-based biomaterials to fabricate mini implants. Each of these materials, including four grade of commercially pure titanium and two titanium alloys and 316L Stainless steel used as a mini implant materials each has distinct mechanical and physical properties. Clinician should recognize these differences for to minimize performance failure and patient care. Key Words: Biomaterials, corrosion, mini-implants, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys I. Introduction Conventional dental implants are efficient as anchorage devices in orthodontics. 1 In 1997, Wehrbein et al tested short titanium (Ti) screw implants in the maxilla for orthodontic anchorage in Germany. 2 In the same year, in Japan, Kanomi used mini-implants to anchor orthodontic movements. 3 The use of miniscrew implants in orthodontics for enhancing anchorage has progressed in recent years, with many applications involving retraction of anterior teeth, correction of open bites, distalization and intrusion of teeth. Even though it has been more than 10 years since the first reports on this anchorage system, most evidence is still in case reports or case follow-up studies, with only a few articles dealing with basic material properties. 4,5 The major groups of implantable materials for dentistry are titanium alloys, cobalt chromium alloys, austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo steels, tantalum, niobium and zirconium alloys, precious metals, ceramics, and polymeric materials. 6 Miniscrew implant manufacturers have adopted materials from the broader area of dental implants, including commercially pure (cp) titanium (Ti) and Ti alloy (Ti6Al4V). 5, 6 Although evidence on miniscrew composition is rare in the literature, many clinicians recognize only two types of titanium implant biomaterials: commercially pure (cp) titanium and titanium alloy. Among these two general groups, however, are six distinct materials defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). All six of these titanium materials, which include four grades of cp titanium, two titanium alloys, and stainless steel are commercially available. The mechanical and physical properties of these materials differ significantly. 7 This review focuses on these physical properties and also evaluates their impact on the primary stability and success of Temporary anchorage devices. II. History of Implant Materials The first evidence of the use of implants dates back to 600 AD in the Mayan population. They used fragment of a mandible as the implant to replicate three lower incisor teeth. 6 In 1809, Maggiolo described the process of fabricating and inserting gold roots to support teeth. The implant was constructed from three pieces of gold that were soldered together in the approximate proportion of the socket created by the extraction of the tooth that it would replace. This could be considered as the predecessor of the present-day implant in its modern form having multiple applications for varied purposes, ranging from providing tooth replacement to absolute anchorage for tooth movement. 6 Greenfield, 8 in the patent of 1909 entitled “Mounting for Artificial Teeth”, envisioned a replacement for teeth, the basis of which was a metal frame that would be inserted into a cavity drilled into the jaw bone. 8 According to Strock, 9 the iridioplatinum mesh work of Greenfield 8 was not strong enough to withstand the forces placed on it. At that point in time implants were frequently made of Lead and Iron, which eroded intra-orally and also caused bone resorption. Strock began to use the screw principle of fixation combined with recently developed alloy called Vitallium, which Venable and Stuck had determined to be completely inert. It was not until late 1950s that Per Ingar Branemark came onto scene. It was then that this researcher was using specially designed optimal titanium screws, which undergo osseointegration. 10 The first clinical report in the literature of the use of TADs appeared in 1983 when Creekmore and Eklund 11 used a