Effect of longitudinal flutes on miniscrew implant stability and 3-dimensional bone formation.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of longitudinal flutes on miniscrew implant (MSI) stability and bone healing.

Methods: Using 11 skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits, we placed 31 longitudinally fluted and 31 nonfluted, 3-mm-long MSIs in standardized positions in their calvaria and immediately loaded them with 100 g using nickel-titanium coil springs. Insertion torque values were obtained for each MSI placed; removal torque values were obtained for 28 MSIs that had been in place for 6 weeks and 20 MSIs that had been in place for 2 weeks.