micro-computed tomography evaluation of root damage caused by orthodontic mini-implant

The use of mini-implants in anchorage control during orthodontic treatment has gained popularity over the past decade. While several factors have been attributed to the success of these implants, the risk of root damage due to inaccurate placement has been a major issue. Therefore, several techniques have been developed to improve the accuracy of placement of these implants. A quantitative comparison of these techniques has been difficult. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is similar to CT but has an infinitely greater resolution. This short communication explores the possibility of the use of micro-CT as a method of assessing root damage caused by the placement of orthodontic implants.