title: Potential of self-drilling orthodontic microimplants under immediate loading.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate clinically and histologically the efficiency of self-drilling microimplants as orthodontic anchorage with immediate, continuous, and constant loadings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Titanium-alloy microimplants with diameters of 1.2 to 1.3mm were manually placed into the buccal sides of both jaws, including the interradicular areas, in 3 dogs. Implants were placed without predrilling in thin cortical bone areas; in thick cortical bone areas, a 2-mm deep pilot hole was drilled. Thirty-six microimplants, subjected to approximately 200g of immediate horizontal loading, served as the study group. The remaining 8 received no loading and were the controls over the 9-week observation period. The distances of reciprocally loaded microimplants and crevicular pockets were measured at the beginning and end of loading. Serially undecalcified and decalcified sections of the microimplants and surrounding tissues were studied with light and fluorescent microscopes. After 9 weeks of observation, 22 fixtures were easily removed with a screwdriver. Two were broken, and 1 was movable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologic analysis showed good osseointegration in all stable samples, and new bone formation and bone apposition to the surface of the threads in loaded and unloaded samples. Histomorphometric evaluation showed high bone-to-implant contact values in the loaded samples, but no significant statistical differences from the unloaded ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Titanium alloy microimplants with small diameters (1.2-1.3mm) are strong enough for self-drilling and immediate loading in thin cortical bone areas, but, to reduce the chance of breakage, a drilling of a pilot hole is suggested in thick cortical bone areas.
authors.affiliation: Oral Department, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ji-Wan
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Woo-Hyung
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hee-Moon
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kyung
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000145:classification*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D008904:Miniaturization; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C040654:titanium nickelide; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium