Las Vegas, NV – Mini-screws that are affixed directly to the jaw bone, Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) are particularly useful for particular orthodontic and dental treatments. “TADs can be used in various procedures where they make treatment simpler and decrease treatment time,” explains Las Vegas pediatric orthodontics practitioner Dr. David Alpan.
The devices are employed to fix a number of conditions. For example, if an orthodontist wants to draw in your front teeth, he or she could anchor the TAD screws on your back molars and use that leverage to bring in the front teeth. Molars are well-suited to the task since they are big, multi-rooted, and move very little.
Orthodontists also find the screws useful to move teeth for filling in a gap caused by an absent tooth, correcting an anterior open bite, or straightening tipped molars. “These devices often avoid the necessity of dental implants or jaw surgery,” observes Las Vegas Invisalign specialist, Dr. Alpan. “So it’s a less invasive method.”
TADs also work with braces to prevent the need for headgear – and reduce dependence on the patient’s compliance with treatment. “Our patients really like the TAD system,” notes braces provider Dr. Alpan. “It decreases the total time in braces and improves the patient’s comfort.”
A simple procedure inserts TADs right into the bone. The titanium screws are approximately the length of a thumbnail and the width of a pin head. The doctor numbs the area with an anesthetic gel before the procedure. When the TAD is inserted, the patient may feel some pressure, but rarely discomfort. “Once treatment is finished, the device can be taken out quickly and painlessly,” observes Dr. Alpan, a Las Vegas orthodontics specialist.