TAD (Temporary Anchorage Devices)
I recently had lunch with one of the orthodontists I refer to. He graduated from his orthodontic program just a few years ago. Talking shop, as dentists will do, the subject of temporary anchorage devices (TADS) came up. In my many years of practice, no patient every came in with this device, so I was naturally curious about it.
“Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD) are defined as implants that are removed after being used for anchorage. This alternative offers a practitioner many advantages when attempting to move teeth,” according to an article by Jesse J. Hofer, DMD published in the magazine Dental IQ.
When I was in junior high school (now referred to as middle school), I was in braces. I had to wear head gear to push back my upper molars. This took a long time (about a year) and was most uncomfortable. It required much compliance on my part to actually sleep in the head gear and wear the device for a good part of the day. I didn’t enjoy it at all.
A TAD could have been used for this if I were going to do this in 2015. A small implant could be placed in the proper position to help avoid the head gear. There are other uses for this device which is at the disposal of the orthodontist.
Keep in mind that the temporary implant has to be removed. In a permanent implant, this is a major undertaking. These are much smaller providing much less difficulty.