Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADS): Revolutionizing Orthodontic Treatment at Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, Michigan
Every so often, a new technology comes along that promises to change standard practices. TADS (Temporary Anchorage Devices) have been used by orthodontists since the 1980s, but they are gaining widespread acceptance today due to the groundbreaking benefits they offer some orthodontic patients.
Essentially, TADS are small, screw-like dental implants made of a titanium alloy. As the name implies, they are temporary—they remain in place during treatment and are then removed. Their function is to provide a stable anchorage, or a fixed point around which teeth can be moved.
To move teeth, the force applied by wires and elastics needs a fixed point to push against. Traditionally, orthodontists use the back teeth as an anchor, but sometimes cumbersome headgear may be required. In many cases, using TADS at Schaefer Dental Group can eliminate these needs.
What TADS Can Do for Orthodontic Patients
The use of TADS offers significant advantages over traditional anchorage methods:
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Stabilize Teeth: TADS can eliminate the need to use teeth as anchors entirely, or stabilize a tooth that is being used as such, preventing the anchor teeth from moving unintentionally when strong force is applied.
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Eliminate Headgear: TADS can provide an anchorage point for a pushing or pulling force that would otherwise need to be applied from outside the mouth via orthodontic headgear. Eliminating headgear is a welcome development for many patients, improving comfort and compliance.
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Improve Treatment: The use of TADS may shorten overall treatment time, eliminate the need to wear elastics (rubber bands), and, in some complex cases, even make certain oral surgeries unnecessary.
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Treat Complex Cases: TADS allow your dentist in Lansing, Michigan to take on intricate cases that were previously very difficult to treat successfully.
Getting (and Maintaining) TADS
Placing and removing TADS is a minimally-invasive, pain-free procedure. Unlike permanent dental implants, TADS don’t always need to integrate with the bone; they can be fixed in place by mechanical forces alone, making them much easier to put in and take out.
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Placement: After the area is numbed, a patient feels only gentle pressure as the device is inserted. The whole process can take just minutes. An over-the-counter pain reliever is often all that’s needed afterward, if anything at all.
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Maintenance: While TADS are in place, they require minimal maintenance. Generally, they should be brushed twice daily with a soft toothbrush dipped in an antimicrobial solution, following the specific instructions provided by your dental professional.
Not every orthodontic patient needs TADS, but for those who do, it’s a treatment option that offers clear benefits in achieving precise tooth movement and a better outcome. Consult with Schaefer Dental Group to see if TADS are right for your treatment plan.
