Self-drilling and self-tapping miniscrews for osteosynthesis fixture after LeFort I osteotomy: An ex vivo trial for primary stability and a randomized clinical study.

Abstract Background Self-drilling osteosynthesis screws (SDS) have a potential higher primary stability together with clinical advantages such as less time effort compared to self-tapping screws (STS). The aims of the study were to compare the primary stability of SDS and STS ex vivo and to analyze of the time-saving effect in vivo . Materials and methods Ex vivo , both screws were placed in porcine bone. Torque was measured for insertion and removal. Four specimens were kept in bone for histologic bone-to-implant-contact examination. In vivo , 49 patients who received orthognathic surgery in the maxilla were included in 2 centers. In a split-mouth design, the time for osteosynthesis fixati…