A case for absolute anchorage.

It would be an understatement to say that implant technology has changed the face of dentistry in the past 10 years or so. Both the surgical and restorative specialties have undergone dramatic transformation from treatment planning through all phases of rehabilitation. However, the same cannot necessarily be said for the specialty of orthodontics. Although it could be argued that implants have had an impact on the planning and setup of orthodontic cases (such as in congenitally missing teeth situations), the actual utilization of implants as an integral part of mechanotherapy has only begun to be realized. The ultimate extension of this application of using implants to enhance tooth movement would be to employ implants that are designed solely for the purpose of facilitating orthodontic therapy, with no intention to restore, but rather to explant such implants, after their purpose is fulfilled.