Histologic and Biomechanical Evaluation of Osseointegrated Miniscrew Implants Treated with Ozone Therapy and Photobiomodulation at Different Loading Times

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate how continuous heavy orthopedic forces affect the stability of sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA)-surfaced miniscrew implants and surrounding bone tissue healing at three different loading periods with treatment of photobiomodulation and ozone therapy. Materials and Methods: Miniscrew implants were applied on the tibias of 9-month-old rabbits (n = 18). The animals were randomly divided into three groups: control, photobiomodulation, and ozone therapy. In all groups, miniscrew implants were loaded with 500 gf at 0, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively (G1, G2, and G3). Several biomechanical and histologic analyses were performed in different centers to measure the implant stability quotient level, bone volume, and bone-to-implant contact. Results: According to the results of the Infinite Focus Microscopy, the ozone therapy group revealed significantly higher scores than the control group and photobiomodulation group at the 4-week loading time, whereas the photobiomodulation and ozone therapy groups revealed significantly higher scores than the control group at the 8-week loading time in terms of bone volume measurements in mm3 (P .05). According to the histologic analysis, the ozone therapy and photobiomodulation groups revealed significantly higher scores than the control group at the 4-week loading time, whereas the photobiomodulation group showed the highest scores among the 8-week loading groups (P .05). Conclusion: This is the first study in the literature that reveals a better osseointegration process in miniscrew implants when treated with photobiomodulation and ozone therapy compared with control groups. Although the photobiomodulation and ozone therapy groups did not reveal significantly higher scores in immediately loaded miniscrew implants (G1), these treatments were significantly more effective when loaded after 4 or 8 weeks of osseointegration (G2 and G3). SLA-surfaced miniscrew implants are successful in the orthopedic forces (500 gf) and can be removed without complications. Keywords: biomechanics, bone screws, histomorphometric, laser, low-level light therapy, orthodontic appliance design, ozone