Assessment of safe zone in maxillary molar region for miniscrew placement in the mixed dentition period--a digital volumetric tomographic (DVT) study.

Assessment of bone thickness in maxillary frst molar region for miniscrew placement during the mixed dentition period with reference to the following variables a) mesio-distal bone width b) buccal cortical plate thickness c) palatal cortical plate thickness d) bucco-palatal bone depth. DVT images of fifteen healthy patients aged 8-10 years with early exfoliated maxillary second deciduous molar were obtained using the Kodak 9000 extra-oral imaging system. The scanned images were analyzed using Kodak dental imaging software [3DmoduleV2.2] and the bone thickness measurements were obtained at six mm and eight mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction. The mean and standard deviation for the measurements was calculated and data was statistically analysed using paired 't' test. The Method error calculations were performed using the Dahlberg formula. The mean values for the mesiodistal width, buccopalatal depth, buccal and palatal cortical bone thickness were found to be sufficient for miniscrew placement up to 1.2mm diameter and 10mm length. The bone thickness measurement and assessment of safe zone in maxillary posterior region from the present study showed potential for miniscrew placement in pediatric age group. Miniscrews can be considered as a promising aid in pediatric space management; so also, they can be used for molar distalization and space regaining in early mixed dentition period.