Biologic response to an intraoral extraosseous implant system: a pilot study

Extraoral force systems in orthodontics are dependent on patient cooperation. Endosseous implants that offer intraoral anchorage are being investigated, but the implant cannot be loaded for 4 months, is limited in placement by skeletal anatomy, and must be surgically removed. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate an intraoral extraosseous implant used as an anchorage source. Titanium ramus implants were placed on the lateral surface of the left rami of 12 sheep. Clinical evaluations were made of implant stability and tissue condition. Bone changes were assessed at the time of killing, which ranged from 43 to 84 days. Infection was present in most animals at the time of killing. The implants were mobile in all animals, and the rami experienced considerable changes due to bone resorption and apposition. The results of this animal pilot study suggest that an intraoral extraosseous implant system such as that used in this investigation may result in bone resorption, implant mobility, and infection.