TADs

What are TADs?

TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) are small, biocompatible titanium screws that serve as fixed anchor points during orthodontic treatment. They're placed directly into the jawbone and provide a stable foundation from which to move teeth — movements that would otherwise require headgear, extractions, or surgery.

Think of TADs as giving us a "fixed point" to push or pull teeth. Without TADs, moving one tooth often means other teeth move too. With TADs, we can move specific teeth exactly where we want them while keeping other teeth stationary.

What Can TADs Accomplish?

Benefits of TADs

• Avoid Surgery: Achieve complex movements non-surgically
• Eliminate Headgear: No need for bulky, visible headgear
• Avoid Extractions: Create space without removing healthy teeth
• Precise Movements: Target specific teeth without affecting others
• Shorter Treatment: Can reduce overall treatment time for complex cases
• Better Results: Achieve outcomes previously not possible

The TAD Procedure

Getting TADs placed is a quick and comfortable procedure:

1. Numbing: A small amount of topical anesthetic is applied, sometimes with local anesthetic
2. Placement: The tiny screw (about the size of a grain of rice) is gently placed through the gum into the bone — this takes only seconds
3. Immediate Use: TADs can often be used the same day they're placed
4. Removal: When no longer needed, TADs are easily removed in seconds with no anesthesia

What to Expect

• Pain: Most patients report little to no discomfort during or after placement
• Healing: No healing time required — we can attach wires or elastics immediately
• Care: Brush gently around the TAD to keep it clean. The main cause of TAD failure is poor oral hygiene
• Duration: TADs remain in place for several months to over a year, depending on treatment needs
• Success Rate: Over 90% of TADs remain stable throughout treatment when placed properly