Objectives.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of immediate and delayed loading of orthodontic micro-implants on bone-implant\r\ncontact. Materials and Methods. Sixty four micro-implants were implanted in dog�s jaw bone. The micro-implants were divided into\r\nloaded and unloaded (control) groups. The control group had two subgroups: four and eight weeks being implanted.The loaded\r\ngroup had two subgroups of immediate loading and delayed (after four weeks healing) loading. Loaded samples were subjected to\r\n200g load for four weeks. After sacrificing the animals micro-implants and surrounding tissues were observed histologically. Boneimplant\r\ncontact ratios (BIC) were calculated and different groups� results were compared by three-way ANOVA. Results. Mean\r\nsurvival rate was 96.7% in general. Survival rates were 96.7%, 94.4% and 100% for control, immediate and delayed loaded groups,\r\nrespectively. BIC values were not significantly different in loaded and control groups, immediate and delayed loading groups, and\r\npressure and tension sides. Mandibular micro-implants had significantly higher BIC than maxillary ones in immediate loading,\r\n4-weeks control, and 8-weeks control groups (P = 0.021, P = 0.009, P = 0.003, resp.). Conclusion Immediate or delayed loading of\r\nmicro-implants in dog did not cause significant difference in Bone-implant contact which could be concluded that healing time\r\nhad not significant effect on micro-implant stability.
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