Research Article

Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study

Volume: 60 Number: 1 July 8, 2026

Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the movement of mini-implants subjected to orthodontic forces in the sagittal and vertical directions.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four young patients with a total of forty-six mini-implants placed between the maxillary second premolar and the maxillary first permanent molar were divided into two groups. Group 1 (G1) consisted of patients undergoing distalisation, whereas Group 2 (G2) consisted of patients undergoing intrusion. In both groups, bilateral orthodontic forces were applied from the mini-implants in the sagittal (G1) and vertical (G2) directions, respectively. Linear and angular measurements were used to evaluate mini-implant displacement in both groups using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained before treatment (T1) and toward the end of treatment (T2). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann–Whitney U test were used, respectively, to compare mini-implant displacement within and between the groups, respectively. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was plotted to estimate the duration for which the mini-implants were likely to remain in the oral cavity.

Results

In G1, a statistically significant increase in both vertical and sagittal angulation of the mini-implants was observed, directed toward the occlusal and mesial directions, respectively (p = 0.016 and p<0.001). In G2, an increase in vertical angulation toward the occlusal direction and a mild distal angulation were observed; however, these changes were not statistically significant. In both G1 and G2, a statistically significant linear displacement of the mini-implants was detected, with movement toward the maxillary second premolar in G1 (p<0.001) and away from the maxillary second premolar in G2 (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Mini-implant movement was greater under sagittal orthodontic forces than under vertical forces. Minor displacement of mini-implants occurs when subjected to orthodontic forces—particularly in the sagittal direction—but this movement may not necessarily indicate implant failure.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 8, 2026

Submission Date

April 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 60 Number: 1

APA
Felicita, A. S., & Uma Maheswari, T. (2026). Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study. European Oral Research, 60(1), 192-201. https://doi.org/10.26650/eor.20261510598
AMA
1.Felicita AS, Uma Maheswari T. Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study. EOR. 2026;60(1):192-201. doi:10.26650/eor.20261510598
Chicago
Felicita, A. Sumathı, and T.n. Uma Maheswari. 2026. “Movement of Mini-Implants Subjected to Directional Orthodontic Forces for Intrusion or Distal Movement of the Maxillary Teeth: A Nonrandomized Clinical Study”. European Oral Research 60 (1): 192-201. https://doi.org/10.26650/eor.20261510598.
EndNote
Felicita AS, Uma Maheswari T (July 1, 2026) Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study. European Oral Research 60 1 192–201.
IEEE
[1]A. S. Felicita and T. Uma Maheswari, “Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study”, EOR, vol. 60, no. 1, pp. 192–201, July 2026, doi: 10.26650/eor.20261510598.
ISNAD
Felicita, A. Sumathı - Uma Maheswari, T.n. “Movement of Mini-Implants Subjected to Directional Orthodontic Forces for Intrusion or Distal Movement of the Maxillary Teeth: A Nonrandomized Clinical Study”. European Oral Research 60/1 (July 1, 2026): 192-201. https://doi.org/10.26650/eor.20261510598.
JAMA
1.Felicita AS, Uma Maheswari T. Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study. EOR. 2026;60:192–201.
MLA
Felicita, A. Sumathı, and T.n. Uma Maheswari. “Movement of Mini-Implants Subjected to Directional Orthodontic Forces for Intrusion or Distal Movement of the Maxillary Teeth: A Nonrandomized Clinical Study”. European Oral Research, vol. 60, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 192-01, doi:10.26650/eor.20261510598.
Vancouver
1.A. Sumathı Felicita, T.n. Uma Maheswari. Movement of mini-implants subjected to directional orthodontic forces for intrusion or distal movement of the maxillary teeth: a nonrandomized clinical study. EOR. 2026 Jul. 1;60(1):192-201. doi:10.26650/eor.20261510598