Korean J Orthod.  2007 Dec;37(6):400-406.

Influence of immediate loading on the removal torque value of mini-screws

• Sun SB
• Kang YG
• Kim SH
• Mo SS
• Kook YA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of immediate orthodontic loading on the stability at the bone-implant interface of titanium miniscrews in a rabbit model.
METHODS
Forty titanium miniscrews (1.6 mm diameter, 8 mm length) were inserted in the tibiae of 10 rabbits. Twenty test group miniscrews were subjected to continuous orthodontic forces of 200 g immediately after implantation for a period of 6 weeks. The remaining 20 control group miniscrews were left unloaded for the same follow-up interval. Removal torque values were recorded using a digital torque gauge. An independent t-test was performed.
RESULTS
All the miniscrews were stable, and exhibited no mobility or displacement throughout the experimental period. Histologically, miniscrews were well-integrated into bone. No statistically significant differences in removal torque data were found between the loaded test and the unloaded control groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that titanium miniscrews can be used as anchoring units for orthodontic tooth movement immediately after insertion.

Keyword

Immediate orthodontic loading; Orthodontic miniscrews; Removal torque

MeSH Terms

Follow-Up Studies
Rabbits
Tibia
Titanium
Tooth Movement
Torque*
Titanium