Introduction: Our aim was to review the experimental literature to determine what is known about functional and morphological tissue reactions around orthodontically loaded temporary skeletal anchorage devices.
Methods: The PubMed electronic database and the reference citations in published articles were searched to the end of April 2006. The inclusion criteria were animal studies about orthodontically loaded skeletal anchorage consisting of metallic bone plates or screw implants of 2.2 mm diameter or less. Data on healing time, force application, stability, side effects, and osseointegration were collected by 2 independent readers.
Results: Eight articles met the selection criteria. The healing times ranged from 0 to 12 weeks, and the amount of force varied from 25 to 500 g. Implant stability was generally achieved without severe side effects. Direct bone-screw contact was reported to be 10% to 58%, and osseointegration increased with loading time. Nevertheless, no significant difference in bone-screw contact was found between loaded and unloaded screw implants, or between tension and pressure sides of loaded implants.
Conclusions: This review highlights some positive experimental findings that apply in clinical practice. However, questions concerning optimal force systems, surgical techniques and placement, and healing times remain. Future research should be well controlled and based on standardized protocols to test specific hypotheses.