ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the torque resistance to removal of sandblasted large grit and acid etched (SLA) surface treated orthodontic mini-implants and smooth surface orthodontic mini-implants as well as performing histologic observations. METHODS: Two groups of custom screw shaped orthodontic mini-implants (C-implant, 1.8 mm outer diameter x 9.5 mm length, Cimplant, Seoul, Korea) were designated. 22 SLA treated C-implants (SLA group) and 22 machined surface C-implants (machined group) were placed in the tibia metaphysis of 11 adult New Zealand white rabbits. Following a 6-week healing period, the rabbits were sacrificed. Subsequently, the C-implants were removed under reverse torque rotation with a digital torque measuring device and independent t-test was performed. Selected tissues were prepared for histologic observation. RESULTS: The SLA group presented a higher mean removal torque value (6.286 Ncm) than the machined group (4.491 Ncm) which was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Histologic observation revealed a trend of more new bone formation in contact with the screw surface in the SLA group than the smooth group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that SLA surface treatment can enhance the osseintegration potential for C-orthodontic mini-implants.