Orthodontic mini-implant stability in different healing times before loading: a microscopic computerized tomographic and biomechanical analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different healing times before loading on the stability of implanted titanium mini-implant.


METHODS
Forty mini-implants were implanted in bilateral maxilla in 10 beagles, loaded with a force of 0.98 N after a delay of 0 day (immediately activated) and 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks. Microscopic computerized tomography (microCT) and pullout test were used for morphometric and biomechanical analyses, respectively.


RESULTS
All microCT parameters and the F(max) of mini-implants were stimulated with the prolongation of healing time before loading. Between the group of 1 week and 3 weeks, a more obvious rising tendency of both microCT parameters and the F(max) of implants was observed. After 3 weeks, the tendency of increase tapered off.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that early loading may decrease osseointegration of mini-implants.
Zhao
Lixing
L
Department of Orthodontics, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Xu
Zhenrui
Z
Yang
Zhi
Z
Wei
Xing
X
Tang
Tian
T
Zhao
Zhihe
Z
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium