Temporary Anchorage Devices

Temporary Anchorage Devices

Temporary Anchorage Devices, often called TADs, are small titanium screws placed in the jawbone to give an orthodontist a fixed point to move teeth against. Because they don't rely on the patient's other teeth for anchorage, TADs can help achieve tooth movements that would otherwise be difficult with braces or aligners alone, and they are removed once treatment is complete.

When TADs Are Used

• Closing spaces — anchoring space closure after extractions or gaps without shifting neighboring teeth.
• Vertical control — intruding or leveling teeth that have over-erupted.
• Molar movement — moving back teeth forward or backward with a stable anchor point.
• Correcting midlines and bite discrepancies — supporting more targeted tooth movement as part of a broader orthodontic plan.

Planning and Placement

Dr. Sameer Al-Obaidi, orthodontist, is trained in the use of temporary anchorage devices as part of his orthodontic treatment planning. Placement is planned using 3D imaging, which allows the exact position of a TAD to be mapped in relation to tooth roots and surrounding bone before it is placed.

What to Expect

TADs are placed with local anesthesia in a short in-office appointment. Most patients describe the sensation as similar to receiving an injection, and the device is monitored throughout treatment as part of your regular orthodontic visits.