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The ST bone anchors are, like the Bollard, used to increase orthodontic anchorage in the anterior or posterior region of the upper and/or lower jaw.
The ST Bone Anchor consist of a 2 or 3 holes mini plate which is fixed by monocortical mini screws, a neck (round bar with a diameter of 1.5 mm) and a hook.
By using orthodontic tools, such as elastic bands or springs, the ST Bone Anchor will be connected with the fixed orthodontic appliance.
Orthodontic indications
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Distal movement of the anterior segment in premolar extraction cases.
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Distal movement of the posterior and anterior segment in non-extraction cases.
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Mesial movement of posterior teeth.
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Uprighting of mesialised lower second and third molars.
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Intrusion of a single tooth.
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Preprosthaetic orthodontics.
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Loss of dental anchorage because of periodontal diseases.
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Orthopaedic intermaxillary tractions.
Contra-indications
Unhealthy soft and hard tissues in implant region, poor dental hygiene.
Advantages
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Because of the skeletal anchorage no reaction forces on the teeth and no undesirable movement of anchor teeth.
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Less compliance needed from the patient: the bone anchors replace auxiliary appliances such as headgear, inter maxillary elastics, Nance-appliance, Trans Palatal Arch, lingual arch ...
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The fixation unit makes it possible to fix different auxiliary wires and change the point of application and the direction of the orthodontic forces.
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The bone anchors are placed at a distance from the dento-alveolar region and don't disturb the movement of the neighbouring teeth.
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No risk to damage teeth, nerves, growth centres or other anatomical structures.
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Handling simplicity for the orthodontist: with 1 blocking screw anchorage can be easily switched on and off depending on the changing anchorage needs during the whole treatment.
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The bone anchors are placed at the outside of the dental arch in the proximity of the fixed appliance. The forces are directly applied between the anchor and the orthodontic appliance.
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No need to wait for osseointegration. Immediate loading is possible.
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Thanks to the section of the round connection bar penetrating the soft tissues, dental hygiene is easy. This reduces to a minimum the risks for local infection.
Recommendations for the orthodontist
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To reduce the risk for infections the placement of the bone anchor should never be combined with extractions of teeth.
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Removal of the remaining stitches and oral hygiene instruction with single tufted toothbrush 10 days after surgery.
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Continuous orthodontic loading is recommended 2 weeks after surgery. Therefore both arches should be orthodonticaly leveled before the placement of the bone anchor. The first month light forces are used.
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The orientation of the fixation unit can be slightly changed by finger pressure. Local anaesthesia is not needed.
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The bone anchor should be removed when there is no more need for skeletal anchorage.
Instructions to communicate to the patient
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Ice application immediately after surgery to reduce swelling of the soft tissues.
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Antiseptic mouth rinsing and gently brushing the region of the bone anchor the first week after surgery.
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Appointment with the orthodontist 10 days after surgery to remove the remaining sutures and for hygiene instruction.
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Appointment 2 weeks after surgery to start orthodontic loading.
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The patient should not touch the bone anchor with his tongue. These intermittent forces may be responsible for the loosening of the bone anchor some weeks after surgery.
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