MINI IMPLANTS IN ORTHODONTICS

Temporary Anchorage Device has mainly changed the possibilities and paradigms in orthodontic treatment. The use of the mini-implants for absolute anchorage has proved to have many attractive features and advantages. First, the capacities to provide alternative treatment possibilities that were not previously feasible. Second, absolute anchorage leads to reduction in the treatment time and a more reliable treatment plan. Third, this anchorage system eliminates the dependency on patient compliance. Extra-oral anchoring devices such as headgear could be replaced by this system unless patient cooperation could be obtained. This also allows an overall decrease in the number of non-extraction and orthognathic surgery cases. The Temporary Anchorage Device is quite effective biomechanics for adult patients, retreatment cases, and patients with complex orthodontic problems. In the future, the widespread use of Temporary Anchorage Device (mini-implants) in orthodontic practice will likely be the dawn of a new era in dentofacial orthopaedic and orthognathic surgery.