Biomechanical and histomorphometric properties of four different mini-implant surfaces

Objectives: To investigate the effects of surface roughness on the removal torque and bone-to-implant contact of four different orthodontic mini-implants. Materials and methods: Mini-implants and circular discs were made from alloy Ti6Al4V grade 5. On the basis of surface treatment, the study was divided into four groups—group 1: machined ( n = 32), no surface treatment; group 2: acid etched ( n = 32), with hydrochloric acid; group 3 ( n = 32), grit blasted with alumina; and group 4, grit blasted + acid etched ( n = 32). Mean surface roughness (Ra) and quadratic average roughness (Rq) from each group were measured two dimensionally in non-contact mode by the optical profilometer. Contact angle measurement of discs from each group was done with a contact angle goniometer. Contact angle of liquids with different hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity was measured: 1. highly hydrophilic liquid sodium chloride (NaCl), 2. lightly hydrophobic liquid dimethylsulfoxide, 3. distilled water, and 4. human blood. One hundred and twenty-eight miniscrews, differing in surface treatment, were placed into the tibias and femurs of adult male New Zealand white rabbits. Rabbits were euthanized after 8 weeks and removal torque and bone-to-implant contact were measured. Results: Surface roughness of group 3 was significantly greater than other groups ( P < 0.05). Group 4 had significantly lower contact angle measurements, both for blood and sodium chloride (NaCl; 40.26 degrees, 27.20 degrees) when compared to other three groups ( P ≤ 0.01). Group 4 had significantly higher torque and bone-to-implant contact than group 3 ( P = 0.007), group 2 ( P = 0.003), and group 1 ( P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Surface roughness and wettability of mini-implants influence their biological response.