Evaluation of the Max titanium alloy retentive pins

Area of Science:

• Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Retentive pins are crucial for anchoring dental restorations.
• Accurate pin placement is essential to prevent complications like dentin cracks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the seating accuracy and potential for dentin damage of two sizes of Max retentive pins (017 and 021) and their corresponding twist drills.
• To evaluate the influence of pin size on shoulder stop seating, channel end space, and adjacent dentin integrity.

Main Methods:

• Twenty human molar teeth were used, with four pins of each size (Max 017 and Max 021) placed per tooth.
• Channels were prepared and pins seated using an air turbine contra-angle at 1,200 rpm.
• Evaluated shoulder stop position, space between pin and channel end, and adjacent dentin for cracks.

Main Results:

• Max 021 pins achieved significantly better shoulder stop seating (95%) compared to Max 017 pins (35%).
• The space between the pin end and channel end was smaller for Max 021 pins (.14 mm) than for Max 017 pins (.55 mm).
• Dentin cracks were observed adjacent to only one pin, indicating minimal structural damage in this study.

Conclusions:

• The Max 021 retentive pin system offers superior seating accuracy and potentially better stability in dentin compared to the Max 017 system.
• Proper pin selection and placement are critical for successful dental restorations, minimizing risks of complications.