Orthodontic Anchorage: Types and Applications in Dental Treatments
What is orthodontic anchorage?
Anchorage is the resistance that a tooth or bone structure offers to orthodontic movement. It is crucial for achieving predictable tooth movements without unwanted side effects.
It is classified into:
✔️ Conventional anchorage: Relies on the resistance of other teeth to move specific teeth.
✔️ Orthodontic mini-implants: Titanium screws temporarily placed in the bone to provide a stable anchorage point.
✔️ Extraoral anchorage: Use of appliances like headgears or facebows to control tooth movement.
Importance of anchorage in orthodontics
🔹 Prevents space loss when closing diastemas.
🔹 Allows correction of open bites or overbites without affecting other teeth.
🔹 Facilitates the retraction of anterior teeth in extraction treatments.
🔹 Decreases treatment time by optimizing tooth movements.
Orthodontic mini-implants: a revolution in anchorage
Orthodontic mini-implants (TADs) have revolutionized orthodontics, providing independent anchorage points without affecting other teeth. Their advantages include:
✔️ Ease of placement and removal.
✔️ Greater control over tooth movement.
✔️ Less dependence on patient cooperation compared to extraoral anchorage.
Conclusion
Orthodontic anchorage is essential to ensure the success of orthodontic treatments. The evolution of mini-implants has allowed for greater precision in tooth movements, improving results and reducing treatment times.
Legal Notice and Disclaimer
This article is part of ONAK's Dictionary of Medical Terms and is for informational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a dentist.
Bibliography
- Antoszewska, J., Kawala, B., Matthews-Brzozowska, T. "Mini-implants: a new era in orthodontic anchorage." Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009; 135(5): 566-577. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19409327/
- Papageorgiou, S. N., Zogakis, I. P., Papadopoulos, M. A. "Failure rates and associated risk factors of orthodontic mini-implants: a meta-analysis." Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2012; 142(5): 577-595. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23116500/
