Evaluation of primary stability of inclined orthodontic mini-implants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the initial stability of mini-implants when placed slanting or perpendicular to the bone surface, and to examine the effects of differences in tractional direction. Titanium mini-implants were inserted into rabbit nasal bones, slanting (60 degrees , 120 degrees ) or perpendicular (90 degrees ) to the bone surface. These implants were then loaded with a force of approximately 2 N, using a NiTi coil spring. The mobilities on the traction and non-traction sides were assessed using the Periotest device immediately after placement and after traction for two weeks. Then, the tissues with the mini-implants were resected, and the contact between the bone and the implant was examined by electron microscopy. There was a tendency for the mobilities of the mini-implants at 60 degrees and 120 degrees to be smaller than those at 90 degrees when measured before and after traction. The bone-implant contact lengths at 60 degrees were significantly longer than those at 90 degrees . There was no significant difference in the bone-implant contact ratio among the different angles. Correlations were evident between implant mobility and contact length or contact ratio. It is concluded that in clinical practice, implants inclined to the bone surface tend to have better primary stability.