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. MacGinnis, Dr. Baum and Dr. Nguyen 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.