Orthopedic expansion with orthodontic mini-implants: Case report

AbstractThe goal of any orthodontic treatment is to achieve the desired movement of the teeth with minimal side effects. Mini-implants have biomechanical advantages that promote a more effective and efficient treatment. The use of orthodontic mini-implants for orthopedic maxillary expansion can considerably reduce undesired tooth movement. A clinical case report of a 13-year-old female who was diagnosed with a collapsed maxilla and treated with an acrylic device with an expansion screw anchored to two mini-implants placed in the palate and in the first molar for the expansion of the maxilla. The aim of this clinical case study was to analyze the separation of the maxillary suture by using orthodontic mini-implants, evaluate the transversal changes at the skeletal and dental level and the secondary effects induced in the teeth used as anchorage. Skeletal changes achieved in the patient treated with mini-implants were: maxillary width increased 3mm; regarding the dental changes, an increase in the intercanine distance of 3mm and an 8mm increase in the interpremolar and intermolar distance were observed. The secondary effect caused to anchorage teeth was buccal tipping of the first molars; in average, the right molar 1° and the left molar 4°. Orthodontic mini-implants are a reliable source for orthopedic anchorage since they provide acceptable skeletal changes with minimal side effects in teeth used as anchorage