Abstract
The current study aimed at examining surface and chemical composition changes of retrieved mini-implants after different periods of service as aids of anchorage for orthodontic patients. This study examined 72 retrieved orthodontic self-tapping and self-drilling mini-implants, 1.7mm in diameter and 8mm in length (OrthoEasy system, Forestadent, Pforzheim, Germany) from 36 adult orthodontic patients (18 men and 18 women, mean age=23years). The retrieved mini-implants were divided into 3 groups according to service period: 3-6months (3M-6M) group, 6-12months (6M-12M) group, and 12-24months (12M-24M) group, with 24 mini-implants in each group. The control group (As Received) comprised of 24 unused mini-implants of the same type (AR group). All mini-implant heads and threaded bodies were examined for chemical characterization and topographical features by SEM-EDS. The average weight percentages for the following elements Ti, Al, and O2 were obtained and compared among the 4 groups. There was significant decrease in titanium content and deterioration for the surface properties for all parts of the mini-implants after being used inside patients' oral cavities for more than 6months p<0.05. The period of mini-implant service inside patients' oral cavities should not exceed 6months.
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