Orthodontic treatment operates from three distinct points:
- Teeth – Or rather, the specific tooth that needs to be moved.
- Force – Typically provided by wires, springs, and elastics.
- Anchorage – In order to be effective, there must be some element to anchor the force.
TADs, or temporary anchorage devices, come into play in this third category. While a patient’s teeth can often provide adequate anchorage, the teeth are somewhat limited in their capacity as anchors. Since the teeth are moving, the anchor is moving as well, limiting the amount of force that can be applied on the teeth.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AOO) now suggests that temporary bone anchorage is by far the best option for orthodontic treatment. In years past, bone anchorage was rarely used as treatment was complex and expensive. Recently however, newer TAD devices have been introduced, making the process easier, safer, and far more affordable.
Before TADs were introduced, orthodontic treatment often resulted in a degree of unwanted movement as planned movement was attempted. Now these temporary anchorage devices make it possible for us to move specific teeth in specific ways without interfering with the movement of other teeth.
By using TADs as part of your orthodontic care, Dr. Danny Bass can dramatically reduce the time required for treatment and provide a much better end result. TADs effectively eliminate the need for elastic bands or headgear, and in most cases, open bites can be closed without surgical treatment. These anchorage devices can be installed right here in our office, without working with other specialists.
If you’re interested in finding our more about TAD orthodontics in Wellington, Florida, give us a call! We’ll walk you through the process and help you to determine if this treatment would be best for your unique orthodontic needs.
