Implant anchorage

Implant anchorage refers to the use of a dental implant as support for orthodontic tooth movement or arch expansion. In orthodontics, implant anchorage is used to resist the forces that are applied to the teeth. In the past, devices such as headgear, a transverse palatal bar, or a Nance bow were required in order to achieve strong to moderate anchorage. However, such devices had many drawbacks including lack of patient consistency, insufficient strength, and physical side effects. The use of implant anchorage methods eliminates the need for these orthodontic devices and aids in tooth movement with a less invasive approach. Though implant anchorage in dentistry requires bonding with the bone, in orthodontics, mechanical binding takes place to promote the movement of teeth. There are many types of implant anchorages available including onplants, miniplates, palatal plates, and miniscrews. Most implant anchorages are made of titanium, titanium alloys, or stainless steel.