What Are the Benefits of TADs in Orthodontic Treatment?
Some orthodontic issues can be tricky to correct with braces alone. Whether it's a bite that's difficult to shift or teeth that need to move in a specific direction, patients may be told they need more involved treatment — like extractions or even jaw surgery. Fortunately for these patients, modern orthodontics continues to offer new tools that improve outcomes and expand what's possible without more invasive steps.
At The Art of Braces in Las Vegas, NV, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Saoly Benson is highly experienced in the use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to address more complex orthodontic needs with less disruption to the patient. Keep reading to learn more about how TADs work with braces and orthodontics overall, as well as when TADs are recommended and why.
What are TADs in orthodontics?
TADs are small titanium or stainless steel screws that are placed into the jawbone to serve as a stable anchor for moving teeth. They are about the size of a pin and are typically placed in the gums between the roots of the teeth using local anesthesia. Once in place, a TAD helps direct orthodontic force where it is needed without relying on surrounding teeth for support. This allows for more difficult tooth movements that may not be achievable through braces alone. TADs are removed once they have served their purpose, and the remaining hole in the gums and bone will heal and fill in with bone to look normal again. The placement is quick and minimally invasive, and most patients are surprised by how simple the process is.
How can TADs improve orthodontic treatment?
TADs can open up new possibilities for orthodontic results while reducing the complexity of treatment overall. In the past, certain tooth movements required extractions or jaw surgery, which could add time, cost, and recovery to a patient's treatment plan. With TADs, many of these cases can now be handled without such measures. Here are just a few ways TADs may be used:
- Correcting a gummy smile
- Closing space from missing teeth
- Avoiding extractions
- Supporting asymmetrical movements
- Reducing treatment time
- Intruding supraerupted (overerupted) molars
- Maxillary palatal expansion
- Guiding the eruption of impacted canines
- Retraction of the entire upper teeth to correct excessive overjet and/or a class II malocclusion
Because they offer such targeted control, TADs can also lead to more efficient and aesthetically pleasing outcomes, especially when used alongside our many available orthodontic treatments, including braces, removable clear aligners, and Inbrace.
When are TADs recommended during orthodontic care?
TADs are not necessary for each patient, but they can be an excellent solution for cases that require extra support. You may be a good candidate for TADs if your treatment goals involve:
- Correcting bite asymmetries
- Fixing open bite or deep bite
- Shifting molars forward or backward
- Creating space without removing teeth
- Minimizing the need for jaw surgery
Each patient's anatomy and goals are unique, and Dr. Benson will thoroughly evaluate your needs before recommending whether TADs should be part of your personalized treatment plan.
Get your dream smile the easier, more modern way with TADs for orthodontics in Las Vegas, NV
Getting the smile you've always wanted may not require surgery or extractions. With innovative solutions like TADs, orthodontic care has become more precise, more comfortable, and more personalized than ever before. If you're curious about what is possible with braces and TADs, call our friendly team at The Art of Braces to schedule your consultation with Las Vegas orthodontist and braces specialist Dr. Saoly Benson today.