A bone anchor inserter (100) according to the present invention includes a shaft (108) configured to interface with a bone anchor (200), a proper depth indicator (102) on the shaft, an upper visual indicator (104) on the shaft, the upper visual indicator located adjacent to the proper depth indicator on a first side of the proper depth indicator furthest from the bone anchor, and a lower visual indicator (106) on the shaft, the lower visual indicator located adjacent to the proper depth indicator on a second side of the proper depth indicator opposite from the first side, the lower visual indicator being visually distinct from the upper visual indicator.