Topographical and elemental changes of retrieved stainless steel and titanium mini-implants after orthodontic treatment

Document Type

News Article

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the surface changes and elemental composition of retrieved titanium and stainless steel orthodontic mini-implants and to determine the type of bone at the mini-implant–alveolar bone interface.

Materials and methods

Surface characteristics of retrieved stainless steel and titanium mini-implants were studied with SEM and the change in composition was assessed with ED X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Bone tissue samples adjacent to mini-implant surface were examined histologically to identify the bone type.

Results

The mean scores for surface defects were 26% in titanium mini-implant threads and 33.33% of stainless steel mini-implant threads at the tip portion which were not statistically significant on comparison (P = 0.75). Comparing mean net wt% of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen elements adsorbed on the surface of retrieved and control groups of titanium mini-implants yielded statistically significant results (P = 0.001). The histological sections of bone particles from mini-implant surface showed lamellar bone.

Conclusions

Blunting (of the tips and threads) of all retrieved mini-implants were evident and craters were observed in body region of retrieved stainless steel mini-implant. The retrieved titanium implants showed oxygen, carbon, calcium, and nitrogen on the surface, whereas only carbon and oxygen elements were found on retrieved stainless steel implants. The elemental oxygen (22.67%) was higher in the titanium group and a higher carbon (7.43%) in the stainless steel group. Numerous lacunae, resting lines, and osteocytes were found in bone tissue from mini-implant surface.

  • The surface defects on retrieved SS and Ti mini-implant were more at tip region.
  • Both blunting and craters were observed on the retrieved mini implants.
  • The C, O, N elements adsorbed on retrieved titanium mini-implants were significant.
  • There was only O and C adsorption over the retrieved SS mini implants.
  • The H &E sections of bone from mini implant surface showed lamellar bone with osteocytes.
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889540620304194?via%3Dihub
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212426817300453?via%3Dihub
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212443817300693?via%3Dihub

Publication Date

Spring 10-28-2022

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