Occlusal rehabilitation using implants for orthodontic anchorage

Osseointegration is defined as a direct interaction of bone to an implant surface. As a result, the implant fixture is immobilized in the bone and lends itself to function as an anchor for orthodontic tooth movements. When properly treatment-planned, these implants can also be used as prosthodontic abutments for single crowns, or removable or fixed partial dentures. This article describes how implant fixtures were surgically placed within the maxillary and mandibular arches of a partially edentulous patient, and used for orthodontic anchorage to reposition the remaining teeth into a more favorable arch position, creating increased posterior interocclusal space. The fixtures were then restored with fixed partial dentures to rehabilitate the patient into a mutually protected occlusion.