Introduction:

Orthodontic miniscrews are temporary anchorage devices widely used in corrective orthodontics. However, it has been reported in the literature that their clinical success rate is not high, due to failures related to the loss of stability. Anchorage may be affected by factors associated to the type of implant, its surgical management and the host. Host-related factors include peri-implant tissue inflammation or mucositis, which though reversible, its early treatment is necessary to prevent expansion into and damage to the hard tissue (peri-implantitis).

Objective:

Describe a clinical case of peri-implant mucositis associated to a temporary orthodontic anchorage device.

Case presentation:

A female patient attends clinical consultation with pain in the anterior zone of her upper maxilla. Intraoral examination revealed the presence of orthodontic appliances with an anchorage mechanism: two orthodontic miniscrews located at the level of the upper canines. Surgical removal was performed of the orthodontic miniscrews, antibiotics were indicated and histopathological testing was conducted to rule out malignancy. The patient was diagnosed with peri-implant mucositis.

Conclusions:

Surgical removal of orthodontic miniscrews is an excellent alternative to prevent the progress of the lesion into hard tissues. Pain signs, reddening and bleeding were all eliminated with the technique applied.

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