Temporary anchorage device (TAD)

Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are an appliance that offers an alternative way to achieve orthodontic success. You can get a better smile faster when you trust us to install a temporary anchorage device.  They give Dr. Alizadeh and Dr. Schreiner greater flexibility in your treatment plan, providing a different anchorage point as we move your teeth around.

TAD screws are small titanium anchors installed in your jaw to provide better leverage during orthodontic treatment. They serve as anchor points for orthodontic devices. They give orthodontists something to push and pull against, which helps move the teeth more efficiently.

TAD can make the orthodontic process more pleasant for patients. For instance, with a TAD, you may not have to wear headgear, which our patients appreciate. You might also get to skip rubber bands. Any way to reduce the time and effort patients spend on their orthodontic care is a win for our team.

To place the TAD, we first numb the area along the gum and jaw where the TAD will go. Then we affix the TAD through the gum tissue and into the jawbone, which takes just a couple of minutes. You will feel pressure on the gum as we insert the device, but the discomfort will disappear within 24 hours, and you won’t feel the TAD anymore.

The initial insertion of the TAD may cause discomfort that lasts for up to a day, but it is mild and not sharp.

TADs usually last for a few months during treatment. They generally are part of a phase and not used throughout the entire treatment plan.

It takes just a few minutes to take out the TAD. We apply a topical numbing cream and unscrew the TAD out of your jaw easily.