[A perspective on the use of bone anchorage as opposed to other types of anchorage techniques].

INTRODUCTION: To convert our objectives into the desired treatment results, we need to control our mechanics and thus the anchorage used by avoiding any unwanted movements. It now seems unthinkable, at the dawn of the 21(st) century, to ignore the useful contribution of orthodontic screw-borne anchorage. Nevertheless, we are entitled to raise a number of legitimate questions. Do these forms of anchorage offer an alternative to all types of mechanics? Will they permit us to manage clinical situations which are beyond the scope of a more classical approach? Can they enhance the quality of our treatments?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each of the authors describes clinical situations using screw-borne anchorage and compares with a conventional approach in order to make a non-exhaustive analysis of the mechanics applied, in their own office, and then highlights the most effective technique.

RESULTS: With 15 years experience in the use of miniscrews, orthodontists have now adopted them with their many advantages as an integral item in their therapeutic armamentarium. However, treatment plans must be coherent. Our mechanics must be well thought-out and represent a cogent entity under the control of the practitioner. Creating screw-borne anchorage demands total control over anchorage stability.