Improving Anchorage: TADs Use in Orthodontic Treatment Plans

Deciding on which anchorage to use during orthodontic treatment plays a very important role in the final outcome. There are many intra-oral and extra-oral systems available, but most of them require patient compliance to prevent undesired tooth movement. Many of these undesired movements can be eliminated by the use of TADs.

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) are mini screws made of titanium. They are 1- to 2-mm in diameter and 6- to 12-mm in length. They are placed in the bone temporarily to improve orthodontic anchorage.¹

The use of temporary devices for skeletal anchorage was first proposed in 1945.² Since this introduction, TADs have gone through various changes in design and size. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given TADs its approval.³ TADs have made it possible to almost totally eliminate the use of extra-oral headgear in many cases. Use of this mini screw technique can be applied, for example, in treatment of super-erupted molars. It also minimizes the need for patient compliance and thus increases the success of the orthodontic treatment.