Topographical and elemental changes of retrieved stainless steel and titanium mini-implants after orthodontic treatment

Blunting (of the tips and threads) of all retrieved mini-implants were evident on SEM images and craters were observed in body region of retrieved stainless steel mini-implant. The retrieved titanium implants showed oxygen, carbon, calcium, and nitrogen on the surface, whereas only carbon and oxygen elements were found on retrieved stainless steel implants. The elemental oxygen (22.67%) was higher in the titanium group and a higher carbon (7.43%) in the stainless steel group. Numerous lacunae, resting lines, and osteocytes were found in bone tissue from mini-implant surface.