Micro-CT and histologic analyses of bone surrounding immediately loaded miniscrew implants: Comparing compression and tension loading

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of immediate force on bone adaptations surrounding miniscrew implants. Ten miniscrew implants were placed on the mandibles in three beagle dogs. Five pairs of miniscrew implants were immediately loaded with 150 g of continuous force using nickel-titanium coil springs for 8 weeks. The values of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone volume (BV) of cortical and trabecular bone for compression loading and tension loading were obtained by μCT analysis. The percentages of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in the compression and tension regions for cortical and trabecular bone were obtained by histologic analysis. The BMD values for the compression region of cortical bone were significantly higher compared to the tension region. The BIC values in cortical and trabecular bone at tension and compression regions were similar. In conclusion, immediate loading does not inhibit osseointegration of miniscrew implants but may stimulate bone mineralization.