RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mobility and ratio of the bone-implant contact (BIC) of a sandblasted, large grit and acid-etched (SLA) orthodontic micro-implant. METHODS: Ninety-six micro-implants (48 SLA and 48 machined) were implanted in the upper and lower buccal alveolar bone, and palatal bone of four beagle dogs. Two weeks after surgery, orthodontic force (150 - 200 g) was applied. Two beagles were sacrificed at 4-weeks and the other two at 12-weeks. Histomorphometric comparisons were made between the SLA experimental group and the machined micro-implant as a control group to determine the ratio of contact between the bone and implant. Micro-implant mobility was also evaluated using Periotest(R). RESULTS: Periotest values showed no statistically significant difference in the upper alveolar and palatal bone between groups except for the lower buccal area. BIC in the upper buccal area showed no significant difference between groups both at 4-weeks and 12-weeks. However, both the groups showed a significant difference in BIC ratio in the rest of the experimental areas between 4 weeks and 12 weeks. The experimental group showed active bone remodeling around the bone-implant interface compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the BIC and the Periotest values between the surface-treated and machined micro-implants according to bone quality in the early stage.