title: A pilot study of the osseointegration potential of a surface-treated mini-implant: bone contact of implants retrieved from patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the osseointegration potential of surface-treated mini-implants retrieved from patients by examining bone-to-implant contact (BIC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Five implants from four patients were inspected. The average patient age was 38.1 years, and the average treatment duration 11.4 months. The mini-implants were removed with a trephine bur under saline irrigation. After histologic preparation, the BIC was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under 3003 magnification, an active adherence of bone cells to the treated surface was seen. The mean BIC was 52.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study confirms the osseointegration potential of a surface-treated mini-implant.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, The Catholic University Korea, Uijonbu St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Woonkyung
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Seong-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyu-Rhim
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007568:Jaw / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D024343:Open Bite / Q000628:therapy; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D019516:Orthodontic Space Closure / Q000295:instrumentation; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013499:Surface Properties; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D000537:Aluminum Oxide