A 3-dimensional finite element analysis to evaluate the impact of force direction, insertion angle, and cortical bone thickness on mini-screw and its surrounding bone

Background. The present study aimed to assess the stress and strain distribution on mini-screws and the surrounding bone in cases of different cortical bone thicknesses (CBTs), mini-screw insertion angles, and force directions using finite element analysis (FEA). Methods. Inventor professional version 8 software was used to construct 24 three-dimensional assemblies of mini-screws inserted with different insertion angles (30º, 60º, and 90º) in alveolar bone blocks with different CBTs (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm). The models simulated mini-screws inserted in bones with different CBTs and different insertion angles. A 2-N load was applied in two directions to mini-screw heads. The resultant stresses of the applied load were collected from the output of the ANSYS program. Results. The results indicated that force direction affected bone strains as the horizontal force generated more strains on cortical bone than the oblique one. Force applied to 60º inserted mini-screws generated much more strains on cortical bone than 90º and 30º inserted mini-screws. In a 60º inserted mini-screw, the horizontal force generated about 45% more strains on cortical bone than the oblique one. The exerted microstrain on bone decreased as CBT increased. Conclusion. It can be concluded that inserting mini-screws at 60º to the bone surface should be avoided as it generates much more strains on cortical bone than 90º and 30º, especially when a force parallel to the bone surface is applied.