Reasons to Attend the Infinitas Mini-Implant Course: This Review and Case Study Will Inspire You to Book Today

Orthodontic Specialist Registrar Mary Connolly attended the Infinitas mini-implants course from DB Orthodontics, led by Implant Expert Richard Cousley. In this blog, we share Mary's course review and an implant case study from Richard Cousley.

About Mary Connolly  

Mary is an orthodontic specialist registrar based at Newcastle Dental Hospital. She graduated in 2012 from the University of Sheffield and undertook the two-year general professional training programme in Newcastle, followed by a subsequent year in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Sunderland. She then spent a year in paediatric dentistry at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Mary has been involved in dental charity work and has obtained the MFDS (Glasgow).

Mary, what are mini-implants in orthodontics and why are they relevant?

It is well known in orthodontics that preventing anchorage loss is key to successful treatment. There are many options that facilitate anchorage control and the provision of traction, however the more traditional approaches can have challenges with patient compliance and anchorage loss. Mini-implants are temporary bone screws placed under local anaesthetic by orthodontists.

Why use mini-implants for orthodontics?

The use of mini-implants has seen a rise in recent years as a modern method of anchorage control, and recent studies have shown that they can be very effective. I had heard about cases where mini-implants have obtained ambitious movements and was keen to gain further insight into their use. In order to see for myself if they may be an option for my own practice, I attended the Infinitas mini-implant course in Manchester.

Incisor intrusion treated with Infinitas. Photo courtesy of Richard Cousley.

Tell us what to expect on the Infinitas mini-implant course?

Dr Richard Cousley and the DB Orthodontics team lead the one-day course of approximately 20 delegates; a mix of registrars and more experienced specialist practitioners.

A good balance of theory and practical sessions are intertwined on the day. When I attended, the lectures were insightful and provided a good theory base for registrars like myself.

We were provided with a memory stick containing lectures and reading material, a typodont model, which can be used for patient demonstration, and a hardback copy of The Orthodontic Mini-implant Clinical Handbook written by Dr Richard Cousley (which has already come in handy!).

The lecture series included:

  • An overview of mini implant principles and the Infinitas system,
  • mini implant insertion and biomechanics,
  • molar intrusion (anterior open bite) treatment,
  • palatal appliances including molar distalisation and RME techniques.

Incisor retraction treated with Infinitas. Photo courtesy of Richard Cousley.

What did you learn and what was involved in the practical workshop?

The two practical sessions were highly valuable to my learning. Each delegate had their own mini-implant kit and typodont models to use.

The first session involved placing mini implants into blocks that specifically resembled the maxilla and mandible, helping us gain a tactile appreciation of the two different bones. In the second session, we placed mini implants into typodont models, using both a stent and free hand. We were able to place mini-implants both buccally and palatally during the course and the ability to try out both the free hand and stent methods meant we could compare the two. The typodont models also made it possible to see how accurate you were!

Course delegates with Mary at the Manchester Course.

The procedure itself was very technique-sensitive and you need a good appreciation of anatomical constrictions of the oral cavity.

Dr Cousley encouraged the models to be held in the same way as a real-life patient. He was able to see each delegate’s model and gave helpful tips and advice on a one to one level. Everyone found him very approachable and he encouraged us to reflect our placements.

Would you recommend this course?

I would definitely recommend this course to other clinicians like myself who have had limited experience in placing mini-implants and are looking to enhance their knowledge and skills. The day is interesting, insightful and interactive, and both Dr Cousley and the DB Orthodontic team were engaging and encouraging. I now have a better appreciation of the usefulness of mini-implants and the likelihood of this option for both anchorage control and traction.

I am also more confident in both the planning and use of mini-implants after attending this course.

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 About Richard Cousley and Infinitas mini-implants

The Infinitas mini-implant system was developed in partnership with Dr Richard Cousley. Richard is a Mini implant Expert and Consultant Orthodontist who has published papers and lectured widely on the technical aspects of bone anchorage. The Infinitas mini-implant system was developed to overcome some of the limitations of existing mini-implants such as lack of insertion precision and overly complex inventories. 

Case Photos

The following photos show a 16 yr old with a Class II division 1 malocclusion, anterior openbite, moderate anterior crowding, both centrelines displaced to the left side, and absent LR7.

The patient was treated by extraction of UR4, UL4, LL5, fixed appliances and Infinitas anchorage in both right quadrants. Lower right buccal teeth were distalised indirectly during alignment by ligating the canine to the lower mini-implant.

Key Points:

  • Buccal mini-implants were inserted into UR5-6, and LR5-6 (1.5mm diameter, 9mm length, short neck) 
  • Cortical bone punch was used for mandibular insertion.

What cases can be treated with Infinitas mini-implants?

The Infinitas system can be used to provide bone anchorage in virtually any maxillary/mandibular interproximal site and in the hard palate, although the most frequently utilised insertion site is buccal and mesial to the maxillary first molar.

Examples of cases where Infinitas can be used:

  • Incisor retraction,
  • Centreline corrections,
  • Direct molar distalisation,
  • Molar distalisation,
  • Molar protraction,
  • Single tooth intrusion,
  • Anterior open bite correction,
  • Incisor intrusion,
  • Indirect anchorage,
  • Intermaxillary traction,
  • Intermaxillary fixation.

For more information or to book on a course, contact the DB sales team on +44 (0) 1535 656999, email sales@dbortho.com or visit www.dbortho.com.

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