Removal torque values of surface-treated mini-implants after loading.
BACKGROUND
Although the sand-blasted, large-grit, and acid-etched surface-treated mini-implant (C-implant, CImplant Co, Seoul, South Korea) is designed to endure heavy and dynamic loads and offers high stability during orthodontic treatment, implications of its removal are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the removal torque values (RTVs) of early-loaded mini-implants.


METHODS
Sixty-four mini-implants (1.8 mm in diameter and 8.5 mm in length) were placed in 37 patients for orthodontic anchorage and were subjected to early loading (4 weeks healing period). RTVs were recorded after orthodontic treatment by using a digital torque driver that was calibrated on a torque sensor. Torque values were subjected to a paired t test and analysis of variance (P <0.05).


RESULTS
All mini-implants remained intact, for a 100% success rate. There was no fracture or distortion during removal, and the mean RTV was 16.4 N per centimeter (range, 3.94-35.41 N per centimeter). Age, malocclusion, and loading period were not significantly related to the RTVs. The longer nonloading period from debonding to removal had a higher RTV. The RTV measured over 6 months of the nonloading period showed a significantly higher RTV than the group measured less than 6 months of the nonloading period.


CONCLUSIONS
Surface-treated mini-implants can be safely removed after treatment. A nonloading period of less than 6 months before removal is recommended to prevent complications.
Kim
Seong-Hun
SH
Department of Orthodontics, Catholic University of Korea, Uijongbu St Mary's Hospital, Uijongbu, Korea. bravortho@catholic.ac.kr
Cho
Jae-Hee
JH
Chung
Kyu-Rhim
KR
Kook
Yoon-Ah
YA
Nelson
Gerald
G
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000328:Adult; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D045662:Dental Etching; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000628:therapy; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000628:therapy; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000628:therapy; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D019415:Torque
D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D014025:Titanium