Bone reaction to orthodontic forces on vitreous carbon dental implants.

On the basis of a very small sample in dogs, it appears that orthodontic techniques cannot be used to move a vitreous carbon implant. Therefore, one should not use implants before the completion of orthodontic treatment in persons who may require orthodontic service unless the implants are to be used for anchorage. Alveolar bone heals in very close apposition to vitreous carbon implants in dogs. Prior experiments with vitreous carbon implants have been conducted with free-standing implants; in this study a substantial number of implants became excessively mobile and exfoliated. Therefore, it is recommended that implants be stabilized through the bone-healing period. Because of the small sample, this study should be considered as only a pilot study and observations made should be considered solely as guidelines.