title: Evaluation of cytotoxicity and corrosion resistance of orthodontic mini-implants.
abstract: To evaluate and compare in vitro cytotoxicity and corrosion resistance of mini-implants from three different commercial brands used for orthodontic anchorage.
  Six mini-implants (Conexão(tm), Neodent(tm) and SIN(tm)) were separately immersed in artificial saliva (pH 6.76) for 30 and 60 days. The cytotoxicity of the corrosion extracts was assessed in L929 cell cultures using the violet crystal and MTT assays, as well as cell morphology under light microscopy. Metal surface characteristics before and after immersion in artificial saliva were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples underwent atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the concentrations of aluminum and vanadium ions, constituent elements of the alloy that present potential toxicity. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA/Bonferroni tests were used for comparisons among groups with p < 0.05 considered significant. Statistical analysis was carried out with Graph Pad PRISM software Version 4.0.
  No changes in cell viability or morphology were observed. Mini-implants SEM images revealed smooth surfaces with no obvious traces of corrosion. The extracts assessed by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry presented concentrations of aluminum and vanadium ions below 1.0 µg/mL and 0.5 µg/mL, respectively.
  Orthodontic mini-implants manufactured by Conexão(tm), Neodent(tm) and SIN(tm) present high corrosion resistance and are not cytotoxic.
authors.affiliation: PhD student, Universidade Federal de Goiás, School of Dentistry, Department of Clinical Dentistry, Graduate Program in Dentistry, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Celha Borges Costa
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Professor, Universidade Paulista (UNIP), School of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcio Nunes
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Segurado
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Immunology Section, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology and Patology, Goiânia. Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Miriam Cristina Leandro
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dorta
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Immunology Section, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology and Patology, Goiânia. Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fátima Ribeiro
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: PhD student, Universidade Federal de Goiás, School of Dentistry, Department of Clinical Dentistry, Graduate Program in Dentistry, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maurício Guilherme
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lenza
authors.affiliation: Full Professor and Coordinator, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), School of Dentistry, Specialization Course in Orthodontics, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil).
authors.forename: Marcos Augusto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lenza
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003343:Corrosion; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014639:Vanadium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003603:Cytotoxins; D015921:Dental Implants; D014639:Vanadium; D000535:Aluminum