A custom made grid to guide placement of temporary anchorage devices

Abstract

The use of implant anchorage has simplified orthodontict reat ment by sparing us the need for patient compliance and the complexity of treatment. One of the most important factors affecting the success of interdental implants is preventing the damage to adjacent roots and periodontal ligament. The most common causes of root damage from mini-implant insertion are improper site selection and an inaccurate angle of drill penetration. We thereby present a custom made modified grid help in more accurate placement of temporary anchorage devices and guide the angle of drill penetration. The grid can be placed anywhere in the oral cavity (buccally, palatally, anteriorly or posteriorly) and it can be attached to the main arch wire, bracket or even on unbounded teeth. The measuring reference grid with two vertical guide arms is connected with a horizontal arm that will later be secured to the adjacent bracket at both ends. The grid includes small squares, which effectively upgrade the efficiency during the orthodontic implant placement. The two vertical guide arms help in maintaining the desired angulation while drilling indicating the mesial and distal root surface of the adjacent teeth.