The experimental study of early loading on the Miniplate in the beagle dog

Chung, Yong Koo; Lee, Young Jun; Chung, Kyu Rhim

Abstract

Conventional osseointegrated titanium implants have many limitations; large size, limited location for placement of the implant, severity of the surgery, discomfort of initial healing, difficulty of oral hygiene and uncontrollable force direction. Recently titanium miniscrew and miniplate have been used for an alternative to conventional dental implant. But in relation to miniplate, miniscrew has disadvantages in that more potential inflammation, light orthodontic force application and limited orthodontic application. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of miniplate by observing the reactions of peri-implant tissues to early orthodontic and orthopedic loading of titanium miniplate. In four adult beagle dogs 10 miniplates were inserted into the alveolar bone using 20 osseointegrated titanium screws. 4 miniplates were placed in two dogs(dogA, B) and 6 miniplates in two dogs(dogC, D). In dogA, B miniplates were loaded with 200gm of force immediately after placement for 15 weeks. In dogC, D, miniplates were loaded with 400gm of force immediately after placement for 8 weeks. Miniplates of dogA were removed, dogA was healed for 4 weeks, and the area which was removed of miniscrew was examined. Following an observation period, the miniplates including miniscrews and the surrounding bone of dogB and dogC, D were removed, respectively. Undecalcified section along the long axis of miniscrews were made and the degree of osseointegration was examined under the light microscope. The results were as follows. 1. In the histologic features there was direct contact between bone and miniscrew in all groups except one, dogC control group. The loaded miniscrew demonstrated only a slight increase of the osseous proximaty when compared with unloaded miniscrew 2. There was no significant difference of the osseointegration of peri-miniscrew surface between dogB and dogC, D. But dogB showed slightly more increased bone apposition than dogC, D 3. The gingiva overlapping the miniplate and miniscrew showed no inflammatory sign in clinical and histological aspects. 4. The impared hard and soft tissues at the area which was removed of miniscrews showed good healing without inflammatory reaction. 5. The mobility showed slight increase in un-loaded miniplate but that was insignificant. Based on the results of this study, miniplate(C-tube(R)) can be used as a firm osseous orthodontic and orthopedic anchorage unit immediately after insertion.