Why do you need bone screws when wearing braces?

If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, you will find that doctors often insert bone screws when fitting braces on patients. In fact, bone nails are what doctors often call support nails. Although the bone nails look small, or even very mini, many friends were still very scared when they first heard about them. So, why do you need bone screws when wearing braces? Let me explain this to you below.

Because when the teeth are pulled and moved, there will be a reaction force in the opposite direction of the orthodontic force, just like tug-of-war. This reaction force will cause teeth that should not move to move to move, affecting the orthodontic effect. For example, if you want to retract the front teeth, the front teeth will pull the back teeth forward, so that the back teeth occupy the space for retraction.

Gap. The anchorage screws hammered into the bone have a stable anchorage effect and can withstand the reaction force caused by corrective tooth movement, so bone screws have become a commonly used auxiliary method in orthodontics.

Common uses of anchor nails include:

1. Assist the teeth to be retracted and close the gap; 2. Lower the upper front teeth to improve the gummy smile or reduce the overbite; 3. Lower the lower front teeth to reduce the overbite and facilitate the change of the crossbite (underbite).

Do I need bone screws?

Bone screw placement is just one method of orthodontics. The orthodontist will choose the most suitable plan for you based on your specific situation. It is recommended to communicate clearly with the doctor before orthodontics.

When to insert bone screws?

There is no fixed time for bone screw insertion. Generally, doctors will decide when to insert bone screws based on the progress of the teeth.

Does it hurt to have bone screws inserted?

After the bone screw is implanted, the anesthetic generally wears off in about 2 hours. Depending on individual reactions, there will be varying degrees of pain in the surgical area, occasionally involving pain in the facial soft tissue. Take painkillers when it hurts.

Generally, the pain does not exceed 24 hours. If the pain persists and painkillers have no obvious effect, or the pain worsens when biting something, you need to contact the attending physician in time or go to the emergency department of a dental hospital for treatment.

In addition, we once conducted a small survey on Weibo, and most dentists responded that bone screw insertion is not painful, so there is no need to be too afraid of it.

How to maintain oral hygiene after bone screw placement?

Within 24 hours after surgery, the rest of the oral cavity, except for the area around the bone screws, should be cleaned routinely. After 24 hours, you can use a soft brush or interdental brush to carefully clean the area around the bone screw.

What are the risks of bone screw placement?

The risk of bone nailing is very small. The biggest risk is that the nail becomes loose and falls off. In this case, you just need to see a doctor to re-do it.

How much does bone screwing cost?

We have also done a small price survey on Weibo before. The price of a bone screw is approximately between 500-2000 yuan, and some are included in the orthodontic costs. This price is only for reference. Please consult your doctor for specific details.