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Titanium alloy mini-implants for orthodontic anchorage: immediate loading and metal ion release
Liliane S Morais1, Glaucio G Serra, Carlos A Muller
1Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California-San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, CA, United States.
Acta Biomaterialia
|January 30, 2007
Summary
Immediately loading titanium alloy mini-implants in rabbits showed good stability, with vanadium ion release not reaching toxic levels. This suggests alloy mini-implants are a viable option for orthodontic anchorage.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthodontics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Osseointegrated titanium mini-implants are crucial orthodontic anchorage devices.
- Early loading simplifies methodology but risks osseointegration failure.
- Ti-6Al-4V alloy offers superior strength over pure titanium but has lower corrosion resistance, leading to ion release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the immediate fixation stability of loaded titanium alloy mini-implants.
- To quantify vanadium ion release during the osseointegration healing period.
Main Methods:
- Titanium alloy mini-implants were inserted into rabbit tibiae and subjected to immediate loading.
- Removal torque testing was performed at 1, 4, and 12 weeks post-implantation.
- Vanadium ion levels in kidney, liver, and lung tissues were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Removal torque values showed no significant increase between 1 and 4 weeks but improved significantly by 12 weeks, with unloaded implants showing the highest torque.
- Vanadium levels in organs increased slightly at 1 week, significantly at 4 weeks, and decreased by 12 weeks, remaining below toxic levels.
- Stress analysis indicated commercially pure titanium removal torques approach yield stress, unlike the alloy.
Conclusions:
- Titanium alloy mini-implants can be immediately loaded without compromising stability in this rabbit model.
- Vanadium ion release from titanium alloy mini-implants did not reach toxic concentrations in the tested animal model.
- The findings support the use of titanium alloy mini-implants for immediate orthodontic loading.