Tricks of the trade: barium marker - a simplified guide for micro-implant placement

Micro-implants are a contemporary source of anchorage in difficult situations and the accurate placement of these micro-implants is the cornerstone of a successful treatment plan.

Optimal positioning has always been critical to the effectiveness of dental implants. The choice of location depends on the initial diagnosis, the purpose of the implant therapy, the proximity of adjacent structures, such as the mandibular nerve and maxillary sinus, and aesthetic factors.¹

Although orthodontic micro-implants require a less complex surgical procedure than normal implants, the quantity of interproximal bone and the inclination and proximity of the adjacent tooth roots need to be evaluated, otherwise there is a risk of root perforation.^1,2,3

A careful clinical and radiographic assessment before implant placement is therefore a necessity.³ In this article, the authors suggest the use of barium sulphate for radiographic localization of micro-implant placement position.