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Introduction: This article reports the use of an orthodontic mini-implant for a temporary crown restoration in a small edentulous space after limited orthodontic treatment. Methods: Two clinical cases are presented: a 23-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy. In the adult patient, a 2-piece orthodontic C-implant (Cimplant, Seoul, Korea) was placed in a 3-mm wide edentulous space to build up a temporary crown restoration after a short orthodontic treatment to regain space for a missing mandibular right permanent lateral incisor. In the boy, a C-implant was placed in the space resulting from an avulsed maxillary right permanent lateral incisor to prevent aggressive alveolar bone resorption after dental trauma. Both patients were followed for more than 4 years of retention to evaluate the stability of the temporary crown restoration built up on the orthodontic mini-implants. Results: Both patients had successful long-term results, confirmed by clinical and radiographic examinations. Both were pleased with the results and plan to retain the orthodontic mini-implant temporary crown restoration until they are ready for a permanent restoration later. Conclusions: A 2-piece orthodontic C-implant system can be used to maintain edentulous space after active orthodontic treatment. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;140:569-79)

Objective: To evaluate the extent and aspect of stress to the cortical bone after application of a lateral force to a two-component orthodontic mini-implant (OMI, mini-implant) by using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: The 3D-finite element models consisted of the maxilla, maxillary first molars, second premolars, and OMIs. The screw part of the OMI had a diameter of 1.8 mm and length of 8.5 mm and was placed between the roots of the upper second premolar and the first molar. The cortical bone thickness was set to 1 mm. The head part of the OMI was available in 3 sizes: 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm. After a 2 N lateral force was applied to the center of the head part, the stress distribution and magnitude were analyzed using FEA. Results: When the head part of the OMI was friction fitted (tapped into place) into the inserted screw part, the stress was uniformly distributed over the surface where the head part was inserted. The extent of the minimum principal stress suggested that the length of the head part was proportionate with the amount of stress to the cortical bone; the stress varied between 10.84 and 15.33 MPa. Conclusions: These results suggest that the stress level at the cortical bone around the OMI does not have a detrimental influence on physiologic bone remodeling.

Understanding the biocomplexity of cell behavior in relation to the topographical characteristics of implants is essential for successful osseointegration with good longevity and minimum failure. Here, we investigated whether culture on titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotubes of various diameters could affect the behavior and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Among the tested nanotubes, those of 50 nm in diameter were found to trigger the expression of the osteoblast-specific transcription factors, sp7 and Dlx5, and upregulate the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Here, we report that miR-488 was significantly induced in osteoblasts cultured on 50 nm nanotubes and continued to increase with the progression of osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, downregulation of miR-488 suppressed the expression levels of ALP and matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2). This suppression of ALP transcription was overcome by treatment with the MMP-2 activator, bafilomycin A1. Collectively, these results suggest that 50 nm is the optimum TiO2nanotube diameter for implants, and that modulation of miR-488 can change the differentiation activity of cells on TiO2nanotubes. This emphasizes that we must fully understand the physicochemical properties of TiO2nanotubes and the endogenous biomolecules that interact with such surfaces, in order to fully support their clinical application.

Vertically aligned, laterally spaced nanoscale titanium nanotubes were grown on a titanium surface by anodization, and the growth of chondroprogenitors on the resulting surfaces was investigated. Surfaces bearing nanotubes of 70 to 100 nm in diameter were found to trigger the morphological transition to a cortical actin pattern and rounded cell shape (both indicative of chondrocytic differentiation), as well as the up-regulation of type II collagen and integrin β4 protein expression through the down-regulation of Erk activity. Inhibition of Erk signaling reduced stress fiber formation and induced the transition to the cortical actin pattern in cells cultured on 30-nm-diameter nanotubes, which maintained their fibroblastoid morphologies in the absence of Erk inhibition. Collectively, these results indicate that a titanium-based nanotube surface can support chondrocytic functions among chondroprogenitors, and may therefore be useful for future cartilaginous applications.

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An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.