Orthodontics is in charge of preventing and diagnosing dental alterations and, once they have appeared, trying to correct any dental position that is incorrect. These treatments are aimed at maintaining good dental health through the use of different types of forces.
For some years now, the use of micro-screws and mini-plates has been common in orthodontic treatments, as they allow teeth to be moved more easily.
Advantages of micro-screws in orthodontics
The main advantages of using micro-screws in orthodontics are as follows:
- They allow complex dental movements that would be impossible with conventional orthodontics alone.
- They are completely painless for the patient
- Their placement is quick and easy, with no risk of major complications.
- In many cases it avoids more complex surgery or treatment.
This is therefore an alternative to anchorage between the teeth themselves. However, when this option is not sufficient, an additional anchorage must be used. It is then that dental specialists resort to the surgical placement of these mini-screws or mini-plates that are fixed directly to the jawbone.
In this way, the incorporation of these elements makes it possible to replace larger and more uncomfortable appliances for the patient, allows movements that would be very difficult to achieve without them and can even reduce treatment time.
How are micro-screws placed in orthodontics?
The micro-screw is a small screw that is placed very easily and painlessly: under local anesthesia, the threaded part of the tooth is inserted in a process that takes less than a minute. The head of the screw protrudes above the gum, as it serves as a support to move the teeth.
If the oral hygiene is correct and the surrounding gum is not inflamed, the micro-screw will not cause any discomfort to the patient.
Unlike the dental implant, the screw is not integrated into the bone. This means that as soon as it has fulfilled its function it is removed in a process that is even quicker and simpler than the placement.