Dr. Ron Wilson: Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs, as we call them, are the latest technology that is truly changing how we practice orthodontics today. In the past, when patients were congenitally missing a tooth, like a second premolar, or a first molar that had to be extracted due to excessive decay, pretty much the only option we had was to maintain that space for a future implant or bridge. This was because, if we tried to close the space, the front teeth would come back just as much as the back teeth would come forward. This is an unwanted movement of the front teeth, because, as they come back, the lips and mid face come back with them, which has an adverse effect on the profile, and gives the patient a dished in appearance. We call that "reciprocal closure", in orthodontics.

Now, we can place these TADs into the jaw bone, and make it hold the front teeth so that we can protract, or move forward, the back teeth, without the front teeth coming back. This gives us absolute anchorage, so the patient's profile is protected, and doesn't become more dished in. Just listen to Margaret, as she describes her experience.

Margaret: Right after the TAD was in place, there was absolutely no pain, no discomfort. I can brush my teeth, I can Waterpik the area. There's absolutely no discomfort, and I've had that TAD in for several months now without any issues. The tooth is going to be pulled forward, and then from there, once the rest of the orthodontic treatment is done, I'll be able to go ahead and get either an implant, one implant, or I could wind up doing a bridge, very comfortably. And it's definitely more financially affordable that way.

Missing Teeth: How To Close The Space

Dr. Ron Wilson explains how TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) are now being used in orthodontics to help close space where teeth are missing without disrupting the existing dental architecture.