Microimplants in Orthodontics : Temporary Anchorage Device

Anchorage control is an important factor in the successful outcome of any orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic anchorage unit should be resistant to unwanted tooth movement. There have been many attempts to device suitable anchorage methods, including extra oral and intra oral appliances. Extra oral anchorage devices like head gears depends entirely on the patient's cooperation where as intra oral appliances such as TPA, Nance appliances etc are inadequate in controlling the anchorage units. To overcome the limitations of conventional anchorage methods, recent advancement of microimplants (temporary anchorage devices;TAD) are been introduced in orthodontic treatment. Advantages of this system includes miniature size, ease of placement and insertion at many intra oral areas,immediate/early loading of force for adequate anchorage support in orthodontic tooth movement. This comprehensive knowledge on microimplants includes evolution of implants, review of literature till today, indications & contraindications, advantages & disadvantages, implant criteria like size, shape, design etc,various clinical applications and in final, complications associated with them in orthodontic treatment.