Orthodontic anchorage: mini-implants as a fixed point
Every force has a counterforce. The question is where it ends up.
Whoever pulls a tooth forward pulls the opposing side backward – that is physics and cannot be switched off. In orthodontics this problem is called anchorage loss: the teeth being pulled against move along, although they are meant to stay put.
The solution
A small titanium screw, a few millimetres long, is placed in the jawbone – between the roots or in the palate. Unlike a dental implant it does not fuse with the bone but holds mechanically. It can be pulled against without it moving.
What this makes possible
Moving teeth bodily over long distances without sacrificing the opposing side. Moving a single tooth precisely in height – for instance an opposing tooth that has drifted into a gap. Opening a deep bite. And much of what used to require headgear, which only works while it is worn. The screw works all the time.
The procedure
Under local anaesthesia, a few minutes, usually without sutures. Afterwards the site is sensitive to pressure for one to two days. The screw stays as long as it is needed – a few months to two years – and is removed just as simply at the end.
What to bear in mind
The gum around the screw needs attention: if it becomes inflamed, the screw can loosen. Cleaning with a soft brush and the prescribed rinse is part of the routine. And: it is a privately paid service, even within statutory health insurance treatment.
The essentials at a glance
- Every force has a counterforce – without a fixed point, the teeth that are meant to stay put move as well.
- A titanium screw a few millimetres long in the jawbone serves as that fixed point.
- It makes movements possible that once were impossible or required headgear – and it works without any cooperation.
- The procedure takes minutes under local anaesthesia. The gum around the screw needs care.
Answered briefly
Frequently asked questions
No. A dental implant fuses with the bone and carries a tooth replacement. The orthodontic screw only grips mechanically, is much smaller and is removed again after treatment.
Not under local anaesthesia. Afterwards, the spot is sensitive to pressure for one to two days, comparable to the feeling after the brace has been adjusted.
It happens, especially if the gums around it become inflamed. It is then removed and placed again at another spot. Careful cleaning lowers the risk considerably.
As a rule, no – it counts as a private additional service, even if the rest of the treatment is covered by the insurance. The amount belongs in the additional-cost agreement in advance.