Patients' perception of installation, use and results of orthodontic mini-implants

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient acceptance and perception of pain with regard to orthodontic mini-implants.The study was conducted on 58 individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, who had orthodontic mini-implants placed as anchorage devices. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing 6 questions evaluating perception of pain during mini-implant placement and during use, difficulty with cleaning, unaesthetic appearance, difficulty with eating and benefits observed. Data were tabulated and analyzed using Fisher and Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient tests. It was found that 94.8% of the patients reported that they would be willing to undergo treatment with mini-implants again. Of the negative aspects evaluated, the most significant was discomfort during placement, while the least significant was difficulty with eating. Patients’ perception of aspects related to mini-implants was shown to be independent of the quantity ofthese devices placed. Although the patients evaluated some aspects of mini-implants negatively, the mean score for benefits observed was very high, indicating good patient satisfaction with treatment. (AU) O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a aceitabilidade e percepcao dolorosa dos pacientes em relacao aos mini-implantes ortodonticos. Este estudo foi realizado com 58 individuos em tratamento ortodontico que tiveram a instalacao de mini-implantes ortodonticos como recurso de ancoragem. Oinstrumento de coleta de dados foi um questionario contendo 8 perguntas que avaliaram a percepcao dolorosa durante a instalacao e uso dos mini-implantes, dificuldade de higienizacao,aspecto anti-estetico, dificuldade de alimentacao e os beneficiosobservados. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados pelos testes de Fisher e de Coeficiente de Correlacao de Spearman. Os resultados demonstraram que 94,8% dos pacientes relataram que se submeteriam novamente ao tratamento com mini-implantes.Dos aspectos negativos avaliados, o mais significante foi o incomodo e dor durante a instalacao, enquanto o menos significante foi dificuldade de alimentacao. A percepcao dos pacientes sobre os aspectos relacionados aos mini-implantesmostrou-se independente da quantidade desses dispositivos instalados. Conclui-se que apesar da avaliacao dos mini-implantes pelos pacientes ter apresentado alguns aspectos negativos, o escore medio dos beneficios observados foi bastante alto, indicando boa satisfacao dos pacientes com o tratamento. (AU)