Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) Poway, CA

Temporary Anchorage Devices, or TAD’s, are small bone anchors or screw like implants made of bio-compatible titanium alloy. They can be placed in many different sites in the mouth, depending upon the patient’s needs. As the name implies, they are only temporary, usually left in place during a portion of the treatment and then removed when no longer needed. TADs can be used in conjunction with braces, as well as clear aligners (Invisalign® treatment).

This tiny device can accomplish a huge job. Its main function is to serve as an absolute anchor, or a fixed point around which teeth can be predictably moved. Anchorage control plays a pivotal role in the proper management of orthodontic cases for attaining both; ideal function and esthetics.

In simple terms, TADs provide a cost-effective and predictable solution for many complex bite issues that were once only treatable through surgery. These include conditions like gummy smiles, canted smiles (uneven or tilted smile lines), excessive overbites, multi-disciplinary pre-restorative setups for crowns and veneers, open bites, midline asymmetries and more.

Overall, TADs are safe, well-tolerated by patients, and can make a big difference in achieving precise, stable and lasting results.

Placement, Maintenance and Removal of TADs

You may be concerned that getting TADs is a potentially painful procedure. In reality, it is far less stressful than most common dental procedures.

Unlike dental implants that are meant to replace missing teeth, mini-implants used in orthodontics do not require an extensive surgical procedure for placement. On the contrary, placing and removing TADS is a minimally-invasive, in-office procedure that takes just minutes to complete.

The first step is to numb the area being treated. In some instances, the numbing gel suffices, but oftentimes a local anesthetic administration is needed.

Patients usually feel gentle pressure as the device is inserted. On average, it takes approximately a minute to insert a single TAD.

Post-procedure, most patients need no pain reliever at all, but an over-the-counter pain reliever can be taken if necessary. However, just like with braces for instance, a few days may be needed for the patient to simply get accustomed to the presence of TADs in their mouth.

While they are in place, TADs require minimal maintenance. Generally, they should be brushed twice daily with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, and the mouth should be rinsed with an antimicrobial solution.

Removing TADs is even easier, a little bit of numbing gel, and they are out. The gums heal fast, and without complications.

Overall complications are rare, inflammation of soft tissues around the mini-implant and loss of stability being the most common ones.

Advantages of TADs in Orthodontic Treatment:

  • More Precise Tooth Movement: TADs enable precise movements of specific teeth, making them ideal for cases where traditional braces or aligners alone would be challenging.
  • Reduced Treatment Time: By providing more efficient anchorage, TADs can sometimes shorten the overall treatment time.
  • Less Reliance on Other Teeth: Traditional methods rely on adjacent teeth to act as anchors, which can sometimes cause these teeth to shift unintentionally. TADs offer a stable, fixed anchor that does not impact surrounding teeth.
  • Versatility in Complex Cases: TADs can help treat complex cases such as closing large gaps, correcting severe bites or moving teeth that need substantial repositioning, which might otherwise require surgery or extended treatment.

Typical Uses for TADs:

  • Correcting Bite Problems: TADs can help move teeth vertically or horizontally to address severe open bites, overbites, underbites or crossbites.
  • Closing Big Gaps Where Teeth Are Missing: They are useful for closing large spaces between teeth, especially in cases of missing teeth.
  • Intruding or Extruding Teeth: TADs can help intrude (push down) or extrude (pull up) specific teeth that need to be restored or adjusted for a balanced bite.

Contact Align Orthodontics at 858-487-0173 to learn more about temporary anchorage devices in Poway, California, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Mirna Nguyen, our orthodontist.