Complex cases associated with anomalies in the dentition structure sometimes require radical measures. In such situations, it is not enough to install a bracket system, you need to prepare your teeth for the upcoming changes, and for this, you often have to resort to removing one or several molars at once. This is usually done if there is not enough free space to change the position of the remaining teeth. Sometimes this process can be avoided by installing special orthodontic implants. These are small structures that are fixed during treatment and provide the necessary support for a fixed orthodontic system.
Orthodontic implants are temporary titanium mini implants that perform the function of additional support during orthodontic treatment of dentoalveolar anomalies. A temporary implant in orthodontic NYC treatment plays the role of stable support for moving teeth and does not change its position, unlike abutment teeth.
The use of orthodontic implants eliminates the need for removable retainers, and saves treatment time, as it becomes possible to simultaneously move large groups of teeth.
Thanks to such implants, it is possible to successfully cope with such complex problems such as very severe crowding of teeth, excessive tooth eruption due to the absence of an opposing antagonist tooth, a fan-shaped divergence of the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, deep or open bite (deep incisal occlusion and vertical incisal disocclusion), etc.
Below are the key advantages of installing additional supports under the orthodontic structure:
- An excellent opportunity to increase the impact on crooked teeth without the risk of loosening them
- Reduced terms of treatment (by 1.5-2 times)
- Refusal to extract healthy teeth in order to free up free space
- In many situations, it is possible to correct the position of the teeth and jaws without surgical intervention (and not only in terms of tooth extraction but also in terms of surgical displacement of the lower jaw)
- Minor tissue injury during the implantation of structures
- The ability to install fewer plates and avoid fixing unattractive facial devices to correct existing defects
- The possibility of implantation in various parts of the jaw
How Are Orthodontic Implants Installed?
The surface of the oral mucosa is treated with a special anesthetic spray or a thin film impregnated with an anesthetic is applied to the desired area for a time equal to 5-10 minutes.
The next step is a small injection on the surface of the mucosa. After that, the implant is twisted with a special screwdriver. The whole procedure for installing implants takes 5-10 minutes.
The implant is installed in the thickness of the bone tissue between the roots of adjacent teeth. The head of the implant protrudes above the gum surface. With the help of special devices (elastic threads, spring chains), the orthodontic force necessary to move the teeth will be applied to it.
What can interfere with the process of installation and use of orthodontic implants?
Inflammation of the gums or mucous membrane of a micro implant due to concomitant infection. This inflammation is reversible – the condition of the gums is normalized after appropriate medical treatment.
If the patient has an aggravated somatic status (chronic diseases, features of the endocrine or immune system, etc.), which can affect the wound healing process (for example, diabetes mellitus), and also if the patient is a heavy smoker, then there is a high probability of inflammation of the gingival mucosa and longer healing of bone tissue in the area of micro implant placement.
How long will orthodontic implants stay in the oral cavity, and is it harmful to health?
The micro implants will be removed from the mouth at the end of the orthodontic treatment. Even if they remain in the oral cavity after treatment, they will not cause any side effects since they are biologically inert and fully compatible with human tissues. The material from which orthodontic implants are made is identical to the material of conventional, already familiar to us, dental implants, widely used for prosthetics.
