Researchers from Penza State University have engineered an improved anchor pin, potentially offering an alternative to dental implantation for patients who cannot undergo that procedure. TASS was informed of this development by the press service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.
This novel design has the potential to extend the service life of a restored tooth by up to a decade. Furthermore, the innovation promises to shorten treatment duration and may cut associated costs by nearly half.
Anchor pins are utilized in the restoration of teeth where the pulp, containing the neurovascular bundle, has been removed, a process known as devitalization. In such instances, the compromised tooth cannot fully regain its functional capacity. To ensure equitable load distribution, the dentist inserts the pin into the root canal.
Ekaterina Kostrigina, a senior lecturer at Penza State University, explained that conventional anchor pins are typically employed when a tooth is destroyed by more than one-third. Nevertheless, under masticatory forces, these standard pins do not always guarantee even pressure distribution, which can result in complications.
The newly developed structure distinguishes itself by incorporating an extra platform. This feature enlarges the support surface, mitigates shrinkage of the filling material, and promotes a more uniform burden transfer during chewing.
This platform is custom-made from medical-grade steel, tailored to the specific dimensions of the tooth damage. Overall, the device resembles a screw with threading in the root section and a cross-shaped head.
According to Kostrigina, the additional platform absorbs a portion of the stress, thereby safeguarding the weakened tooth wall. This capability allows for the use of a single pin even in multi-rooted teeth, which streamlines the restoration timeline and eliminates the need to place multiple pins.
The efficacy of this invention has been validated through computer simulation for both single-rooted and multi-rooted teeth. A patent has been secured for this innovation. The university highlights that this technology could be especially beneficial for individuals with conditions such as diabetes or insufficient alveolar bone, for whom standard implantation is contraindicated.
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