Anna Göransson Westerlund

Institution/Department: Department of Orthodontics
Previous studies: University of Gothenburg
Thesis: ”On possibly bioactive cp titanium implant surfaces”
Research areas: Orthodontics, Biomaterials, Implantology,
Oral Rehabilitation
Current research: Titanium implants have been used successfully for 40 years to restore edentulous patients, however mini-implants as anchorage in Orthodontic treatment has recently become a more frequently used treatment modality. The primary application of mini-implants as orthodontic anchorage is cases that need absolute anchorage for desired tooth movement like midline correction, overbite correction situations. Claimed advantages are elimination of patient compliance
issues with regard to wearing of appliances, and occasionally permitting orthodontic treatments previously thought to be impossible without surgery. However, mini-implants as an alternative anchorage in orthodontic treatment have only been partly evaluated regarding clinical and biological effects. There are only a few randomized controlled studies evaluating mini-implants as an anchorage alternative compared to traditionally ones. The project will focus on questions that remains to be answered like implant requirements (e.g., materials, size, designs and surface quality), surgery and healing time, loading, failing rate and iatrogenic effects. Furthermore, when it comes to children and adults with congenitally missing or lost teeth there are several alternatives for oral rehabilitation. Traditionally prosthetic solutions like dentures, crown and bridgework has during the last decades partly been replaced with implant
treatment. Yet an alternative to prosthetic replacement in cases with a few missing teeth is orthodontic space closure.
This treatment alternative is so far most commonly used in cases with congenital missing upper laterals in children but could be a good solution for single agenesis in children and missing teeth in adults as well. Since the problem with congenital or pathologically missing teeth is relatively frequent and also a cost for the patient and society, the project will focus on comparison between the treatment alternatives regarding long term effects including patient and dentists experience.

E-mail adress: anna.goransson@biomaterials.gu.se