Orthodontist Villa Park CA Invisalign Braces | Villa Park Smiles
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)
Temporary Anchorage Devices, also known as TADs for short, are small titanium anchors used to provide orthodontic anchorage and are removed once treatment is complete. In some cases, they may be used to help correct more complex orthodontic problems and align the teeth with more precision and better comfort.
During the typical orthodontic treatment process, there are often unwanted tooth movements when the teeth shift. TADs allows an orthodontist to move specific teeth to shorten the treatment timeline and achieve desired results better than traditional braces. TADs may also be used in addition to braces or as an alternative to headgear.
Years ago, the use of TADs was limited because of their high cost and complex placement. Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, Temporary Anchorage Devices are safer and less expensive than ever before.
TADs can:
Stabilize a tooth being used as an anchor
Eliminate the need to use a tooth as an anchor
Provide an anchorage point where tooth anchorage is not normally available
Orthodontics with TADs can:
Reduce orthodontic treatment time by one third
Eliminate the need for a headgear
Provide a more ideal finish
Allow for significant skeletal changes during growth modification procedures
Allow limited tooth movement in preparation for a bridge, crown or implant without braces
Close most open bites without surgery
Eliminate the need for rubber bands
Villa Park Smiles is one of the first orthodontic practices in the Orange County area to use TADs extensively. While most orthodontists refer patients to other specialists for the procedure, Dr. Baum, Dr. Lee, and Dr. MacGinnis place the TAD themselves.
A Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD) is a temporary implant that is fixed to the bone to provide an anchorage point for the teeth to move. Once orthodontic treatment is complete, the TADs are removed.
A TAD is capable of:
Replacing a headgear
Closing an open bite
Opening a deep bite
Correcting a Class II
Correcting a Class III
Correcting an occlusion asymmetry
Uprighting a tipped molar in preparation for restorative without full braces
Intruding or extruding teeth for restorative procedures usually without full braces
Correcting a single tooth crossbite without full braces
Orthognathic surgery can be simplified to one jaw
TADs are good fixation points to manage post-orthognathic surgery patients
While TADs are not necessary for every patient, they can help shorten treatment and improve our final result. For more information about this treatment option, please contact us at Villa Park Smiles.