title: Influence of low-intensity laser therapy on the stability of orthodontic mini-implants: a study in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess stability of different orthodontic mini-implants in the tibia of rabbits after low-intensity laser therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two mini-implants were assessed, 16 were self-threading (Titanium Fix) and 16 self-perforating (INP). These were inserted into the tibia of rabbits and immediately loaded with a horizontal force of 200g uniting 2 mini-implants in each tibia. Then they were submitted to low-intensity laser therapy for 21 days. Sixteen male New Zealand breed rabbits were used, and divided into 2 groups of 8 animals each as follows: Groups INP and TF. In both groups, mini-implants were submitted to low-intensity laser therapy (right tibia) and their respective controls (left tibia) did not undergo laser therapy. After the animals were killed, blocks of bone tissue containing the mini-implants were removed so as to perform mechanical pull-out tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference only between Group TF submitted to laser and all the other groups (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-intensity laser was capable of increasing stability of self-threading orthodontic mini-implants.
authors: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Mardônio Rodrigues
authors: MR
authors: Pinto
authors: Rogério Lacerda
authors: RL
authors: dos Santos
authors: Matheus Melo
authors: MM
authors: Pithon
authors: Mônica Tirre de Souza
authors: MT
authors: Araújo
authors: João Paulo Viana
authors: JP
authors: Braga
authors: Lincoln Issamu
authors: LI
authors: Nojima
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants