Palatal implant anchorage reinforcement of posterior teeth: A prospective study

A new orthodontic implant anchor system (Orthosystem) has been developed. T his 1-piece device made from titanium consists of a screw-type endosseous s ection (lengths of 4 and 6 mm), a cylindrical transmucosal neck, and an abu tment. Clamp caps with slots provide for attachment of square orthodontic w ires (transpalatal bars) to the implant. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the anchorage capacity of palatally inserted Orthosy stem implants for anchorage reinforcement of posterior teeth. The sample co nsisted of 9 dental Class II patients (age 15 to 35 years) whose treatment plan included extraction of the maxillary first premolars. Each of the pati ents received 1 implant inserted into the center of the anterior palate. Af ter a mean unloaded implant healing period of 3 months, transpalatal bars w ere inserted to connect the posterior teeth to the implant. Retraction of t he canines and incisors was accomplished without the use of compliance-depe ndent headgear or Class II elastics. The degree of anchorage loss as well a s the amount of canine and incisor retraction were evaluated by measurement s of the casts and lateral cephalograms. The mean anchorage loss was 0.7 mm on the right side and 1.1 mm on the left (P < .05). The right and left can ines were retracted 6.6 and 6.4 mm, respectively, and the mean overjet redu ction was 6.2 mm. Because clinical assessment and postremoval histologic as sessment both revealed stability of the short implant, the small anchorage loss was most likely from the deformation of the transpalatal bars by the o rthodontic forces. Nevertheless, the treatment goal was achieved in all pat ients without the use of compliance-dependent auxiliaries. The clinical exp erience during and after implant insertion, active orthodontic treatment, r etrieval of the implant, and subsequent wound healing are described.