When certain teeth need to move in a specific direction, your orthodontist may recommend a temporary anchorage device to help make that movement more controlled and predictable.
What Is a Temporary Anchorage Device?
A temporary anchorage device (TAD), is a small, screw-like post placed into the jawbone to support orthodontic tooth movement. It acts as a stable anchor point when braces or clear aligners need additional help moving specific teeth without causing unwanted movement elsewhere.
Once the orthodontic movement is complete, the device is removed in a simple in-office visit. Most TADs are used for several months, although timing depends on the orthodontic plan.
When TAD Placement May Be Recommended
Your orthodontist may recommend a TAD when certain teeth need extra support to move in the planned direction. TADs provide a stable anchor that allows specific teeth to move while keeping neighboring teeth in place.
A TAD may help with:
- Closing spaces between teeth
- Repositioning molars
- Moving over-erupted teeth back into line (intrusion)
- Assisting with open bite correction in select cases
- Guiding impacted teeth into position
Not every orthodontic treatment plan requires a TAD. Your orthodontist will determine whether one is appropriate, and our oral surgery team will place the device in the location that best supports the planned tooth movement.
How TADs Are Used During Orthodontic Treatment
After the TAD is placed, your orthodontist will connect elastics, springs, or other orthodontic components to the device. These attachments apply gentle pressure in the direction needed for your treatment plan.
Your orthodontist monitors the tooth movement over time and adjusts the mechanics as needed. Once the TAD has served its purpose, it can be removed during a short in-office visit.
The TAD Placement Procedure
Placement is typically a quick in-office procedure. Before the procedure, we review your orthodontic treatment plan and any available imaging to determine the safest placement site. If more detail is needed, we take a 3D scan (CBCT) in our office to check the roots, bone, and nearby nerves before choosing the site.
The general process includes:
- Local anesthesia: The area is numbed so you remain comfortable during the procedure. IV sedation is available in our office for patients who prefer it.
- Placement: The small titanium device is gently placed in the planned position. Placing each device takes only a few minutes.
- Orthodontic follow-up: Your orthodontist will monitor the TAD during treatment and use it according to your orthodontic plan.
- Removal: Once the TAD is no longer needed, it is removed during a short visit. The area usually heals quickly after removal.
You will receive instructions on how to keep the area clean and what to watch for while the device is in place.
Are There Any Risks?
TADs are low risk, but not risk-free. The most common problem is a device that loosens before treatment is finished, which happens in roughly 10 to 15 percent of cases and is usually solved by placing a new one nearby. Gum irritation around the head of the device is common and settles with good cleaning. Contact with a tooth root is uncommon, and planning the site on the scan is how we avoid it. Gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and smoking all raise the chance of loosening, so it helps to have those under control first.
Coordinated TAD Placement With Your Orthodontist
Temporary anchorage devices are placed as part of a larger orthodontic treatment plan. At Adara Surgical Institute, Dr. Hardeep Dhaliwal, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the United States and Canada, works with orthodontists in Issaquah and throughout the Eastside to provide TAD placement for their patients.
Your orthodontist determines how the TAD will be used to support tooth movement, while our surgical team focuses on selecting and preparing the planned placement site. Advanced imaging can be used to evaluate nearby roots, bone, and other structures before the device is placed.
We welcome patients referred by orthodontists in Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, Renton, Kirkland and surrounding communities and coordinate with their orthodontic team throughout this part of treatment.
Adara Surgical Institute
Schedule a Consultation
If your orthodontist has recommended a temporary anchorage device, Adara Surgical Institute can coordinate with your orthodontic team to provide precise placement as part of your treatment plan.
To book a consultation at our oral surgery office in Issaquah, WA, call (425) 428-5888 or visit us at 6505 226th Pl SE STE #100 Issaquah, WA.
We are located in the heart of Issaquah, WA, in the back of Meadow Creek Business Center. We have plenty of parking and easy access into our building, which is conveniently located on the first floor and easily accessible for all patients.
Request an AppointmentFAQs
Are TADs painful?
The placement area is numbed before the TAD is inserted, so the procedure should not be painful. Mild soreness or irritation can happen afterward, but it usually improves quickly.
Can I eat normally with a TAD?
You can usually eat normally, but avoid very hard, sticky, or crunchy foods near the TAD if they irritate the area or pull on orthodontic attachments. Follow the food instructions given by your orthodontist or oral surgeon.
What happens if my TAD becomes loose?
Contact your orthodontist or oral surgeon if your TAD feels loose. In some cases, a loose TAD may need to be removed, repositioned, or replaced so it can continue supporting treatment.
How is a TAD removed?
TAD removal is usually a quick in-office visit. The device is gently removed once it is no longer needed, often without any numbing, and the small area typically heals on its own within a few days.
