In vitro flexural strength evaluation of a mini-implant prototype designed for Herbst appliance anchorage

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the limit of flexural strength of a miniimplant prototype designed for Herbst appliance anchorage. Methods: After sample size calculation, four specimens with the new mini-implant were submitted to a single cantilever flexure test using a universal testing machine. The limit of flexural force strength was calculated. Results: The mini-implant prototype showed a limit of flexural force strength of 98.2 kgf (982 N), that was the lowest value found. Conclusion: The mini-implant prototype designed for Herbst appliance anchorage can withstand flexural forces higher than the maximum human bite forces reported in the literature.