The orthodontic mini dental implant offers the biomechanical advantage of a firm anchorage and, at the same time, a more effective orthodontic treatment with fewer auxiliary elements incorporated in the dental appliance. Mini-implants can be combined with all types of orthodontic appliance systems.
The insertion procedure is very simple and consists of local anaesthesia followed by insertion of the mini-implant. The whole procedure takes 10 minutes after the anaesthesia is in place. The mini-implants are positioned between the tooth roots, the only visible part being the head which serves as an anchorage point for transmitting the forces that will move the teeth into the correct position. Before implantation, the orthodontist must identify the optimal place for the implant.
Compared to the dental implant used to replace missing teeth, the orthodontic mini-implant has fewer anatomical limitations and the insertion and removal procedure is much simpler. While the classic dental implant, used for prosthetic purposes, requires a longer period of osseointegration, the mini orthodontic implant is used as a temporary anchorage and does not require a long period of stabilisation in the bone. The mini orthodontic dental implant is made of either pure titanium (99%) or titanium alloys (90%).