ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The need to overcome the failure of orthodontic micro-implants which might reach to 30% has led to the development of different methods, one of which is nanoparticle deposition. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the anti-microbial efficiency of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles (NP) when used as a coating for orthodontic micro-implants. METHODS: Thirty titanium alloy micro-implants were used in the presented study. They were divided into three groups according to the coating method and the coating materials used: the control group without surface coating; the titanium dioxide (TiO2)-coated group, in which direct current (DC) spattering was used to coat the micro-implants with a TiO2 layer; and the TiO2 and zinc oxide (TiO2ZnO)-coated group, in which the micro-implants were coated with a TiO2 layer via direct current (DC) spattering and a zinc oxide (ZnO) layer via laser vacuum. The micro-implant surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The antibacterial susceptibility was assessed using gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. RESULTS: SEM and EDS tests confirmed the coating of the micro-implants in the TiO2- and TiO2ZnO-coated groups. The micro-implants in the TiO2- and TiO2ZnO-coated groups demonstrated higher antibacterial ability than the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the significance of improving the surface of orthodontic micro-implants by coating them with TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles to improve osseointegration and prevent biofilm formation.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Temporarily installed titanium orthodontic miniscrews are usually used for many orthodontic applications, especially those cases that need high force, such as skeletally anchored orthodontic appliance cases. Surface modification of titanium miniscrews has proved success in preventing failure and overcoming their limitations. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims at the assessment of the quality of osseointegration of surface modified titanium miniscrews installed in the maxilla of albino rabbits with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging as well as histomorphometric investigations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The orthodontic titanium miniscrews (TMSs) were coated with silver/hydroxyapatite (Ag/HA) nanoparticles (NPs) or zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs via electrochemical deposition. The coating nanomaterials were then characterized with X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the coated titanium miniscrews were evaluated in the rabbits' oral cavity to investigate their ability to prevent biofilm formation. RESULTS: It was found that the Ag/HA-coated TMSs demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity and bone area fill, followed by the ZnO NPs-coated TMSs when compared to their uncoated counterparts. In the anterior area surrounding the installed TMSs, the highest osseointegration was demonstrated by ZnO NPs-coated TMSs. However, Ag/HA-coated TMSs showed the highest osseointegration values in the posterior peri-implant area. CONCLUSIONS: Ag/HA- and ZnO NPs-coated TMSs may provide a promising solution to overcome the 30% probable failure in temporarily installed orthodontic miniscrews, as they can enhance the osseointegration process and prevent biofilm formation.
