Screw-type device diameter and orthodontic loading influence adjacent bone remodeling.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of diameter and orthodontic loading of a screw-type implantable device on bone remodeling. Screw-shaped devices of four distinct diameters, 1.6, 2, 3, and 3.75 mm, were placed into edentulous sites in five skeletally mature beagle dogs (n = 14/dog) following premolar extraction. Using a split-mouth design, devices on one side were loaded using calibrated 2N coil springs. Epifluorescent bone labels were administered intravenous prior to sacrifice. Bone-implant sections (∼ 70 μm) were evaluated to quantify bone formation rate (BFR), and other histomorphometric variables were assessed in the implant supporting bone. The mean BFR ranged from 10.93 percent per year to 38.91 percent per year. BFR in the bone adjacent to the device was lower for the loaded 1.6-mm screws when compared with the nonloaded 1.6-mm screws (P < .01) and the loaded 2.0-, 3.0-, and 3.75-mm diameter screws (P < .01). No significant differences in BFR were noted, regardless of loading condition, between the 2.0-, 3.0-, and 3.75-mm diameter screws. We detected a dramatic reduction in bone remodeling. Although orthodontic loading of 2N did not alter bone remodeling associated with screws with a 2.0-mm diameter or larger, it did decrease bone remodeling adjacent to a loaded 1.6-mm screw. The long-term effect of this diminished remodeling should be further investigated.