5 Things Dentists Should Know About TADS (Temporary Anchorage Devices)

What are TADs?

Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs, are tiny titanium implants placed in the bone to provide a fixed point of anchorage during orthodontic treatment. Unlike traditional methods that rely on other teeth for support, TADs allow for more controlled tooth movement. 

For dentists who practice orthodontics, these tiny oral devices allow you to treat more complex cases in an easier way. Whether TADS are used to close gaps, correct open bites, or move individual teeth, they can make orthodontic treatment so much more flexible and predictable than ever before.

In this article, we’ll share five things that dentists will want to know about TADs, especially if they are offering orthodontics in their practice.

1. How TADs Work

Let’s elaborate further on TADs and how they work. In orthodontics, a temporary anchorage device (TAD) is a small screw-like implant that’s placed into the bone for a limited period of time to improve anchorage. It works in one of two ways: by supporting the teeth that make up the reactive unit, aka the indirect anchorage, or by removing the need for a reactive unit altogether (direct anchorage). Once treatment goals are achieved, the TAD is easily removed.

TADs are also known as mini implants or mini screws and are much smaller than traditional prosthetic dental implants. Most range from 1.5 mm to 2 mm in diameter and 6 mm to 10 mm in length, just enough to provide solid, temporary support. Their surfaces are polished and smoother than standard implants because they don’t rely on osseointegration, or fusion with bone, for stability. 

Instead, they stay in place through mechanical retention. This unique design gives dentists greater flexibility, allowing precise tooth movement without depending solely on other teeth for anchorage.

2. Common Clinical Applications 

TADs can be used in a wide variety of orthodontic cases, giving dentists more control over tooth movement. They’re very helpful when closing extraction spaces, intruding overerupted teeth, correcting open bites, or managing complex malocclusion. Because they provide stable anchorage, TADs allow for movements that might otherwise be difficult or unpredictable using traditional mechanics alone. 

They can also help reduce unwanted side effects, like reciprocal tooth movement, making them a great choice for precise and efficient treatment planning. For patients with specific aesthetic or alignment goals, TADs provide the flexibility to achieve excellent outcomes without needing additional appliances or relying heavily on patient compliance.

3. Placement Is Simple and Minimally Invasive 

Placing a TAD is a simple, chairside procedure that typically takes just a few minutes. The area is numbed with a small amount of local anesthetic, and the mini implant is inserted directly into the bone using a gentle, controlled motion. Because there’s no need for surgical flaps or sutures, recovery is quick and discomfort is minimal. 

Patients can resume normal activities right away, and most report little more than mild tenderness for a day or two. For dentists who practice orthodontics, this quick placement process is a practical way to add precision anchorage without significant disruption to the patient’s routine or treatment timeline.

4. Patient Benefits 

Patients appreciate that TADs often make treatment faster, more comfortable, and more predictable. Because they provide stable anchorage, TADs can minimize the need for extractions, simplify complex tooth movements, and in some cases, shorten overall treatment time. They can also improve results in challenging cases where aligners or elastics might fall short. 

For patients, that means fewer appointments, less reliance on compliance, and more consistent progress. Many also find that TADs lead to better final alignment and bite correction, helping them reach their smile goals more efficiently. 

5. Why Dentists Should Train With TADs

For dentists who practice orthodontics, training with TADs can be a valuable way to grow clinical confidence and expand treatment capabilities. Orthodontic continuing education courses that focus on TAD placement and mechanics provide hands-on experience and practical case discussions. Learning proper placement techniques, torque control, and sterilization protocols helps dentists incorporate TADs safely and effectively into daily practice. 

Beyond the technical aspects, understanding case selection and patient communication enables better outcomes and stronger treatment acceptance. By investing in TAD training, dentists can broaden the range of orthodontic solutions they offer, meet a wider variety of patient needs, and stay current with advances in orthodontic care.

Why TADs Belong in Every Modern Practice

Temporary anchorage devices have become a practical and versatile tool in modern orthodontics. The ideal anchorage device should be simple to use, cost-effective, immediately loadable, small in size, stable under orthodontic forces, immobile, biocompatible, and not reliant on patient compliance. These are all qualities that TADs deliver. When properly placed, they provide primary stability and can withstand the mechanical demands of treatment while producing results that are equal to or better than traditional anchorage systems.

For dentists looking to strengthen their orthodontic skills, general dentist orthodontics courses from the American Orthodontic Society offer valuable hands-on training in TAD placement and application. Building experience through these courses helps improve clinical confidence and expand treatment possibilities for a wide range of patients.