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.