TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices or Miniscrews)
Small Temporary Screws Used to Create Anchors for Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) are small, removable screws that can be placed between the teeth, above or below the teeth and even behind the teeth to create an anchor for orthodontic tooth movement. The placement procedure involves the use of a local anesthetic to allow a very small hole to be created at the placement site and the screw put in place. Many of the latest placement protocols require minimal or no drilling and can often be completed in less than 15 minutes. The screws are then attached to the orthodontic appliances until the needed tooth movement is complete and then removed easily, often without the need for local anesthesia. The TADs can be used to move teeth in directions that are hard to accomplish by any other method, and can sometimes allow the orthodontist to treat the back areas of the mouth first, decreasing the time that brackets and wires are in place in the front.
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