Mini-implants as anchoring devices in the maxila

Abstract

Mini-implants have emerged in orthodontics as an anchoring alternative to conventional orthodontic treatments; they have high clinical versatility, facilitating installation in various locations, especially in the inter radicular regions, eliminating problems for the orthodontist such as loss of anchorage. The size of the miniimplants should correspond to the bone available for the insertion site, cylindrical or cylindrical in shape, with a smooth or treated surface. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the placement of mini-implants as anchoring devices in the maxilla. It is necessary the knowledge of areas with greater thickness of cortical bone to promote stability, as well as the inter-radicular spaces that are safe for the placement of such devices. Its main advantages include its reduced size, easy installation and removal, minimizing the risk of injury to anatomical structures, however it presents as main disadvantage the need for simple surgery that can cause complications if it is not well planned. The safest areas for placement of mini-implants in the maxilla are between the second premolar and first molar. The choice of screw should take into account the mesio-distal space between roots, density, bone depth and mucosal thickness, and factors such as orthodontic movement, direct or indirect anchorage. The anatomy of the chosen site has a considerable individual variation. For the use of the mini-implant, the ideal site should be analyzed by means of computed tomography, panoramic or periapical radiographs.