Orthodontic tads before and after
Orthodontic TADs are small temporary screws that anchor controlled tooth movement; results depend on the bite plan.
The short answer
A temporary anchorage device, or TAD, is a small biocompatible metal screw placed in the jawbone to support orthodontic forces. It can help move teeth without relying only on other teeth as anchors, but the visible result depends on the full treatment plan.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The screw is placed through the gum into a suitable area of bone, often between tooth roots or in the palate after imaging and clinical checks. An elastic chain, spring, or orthodontic wire connects the TAD to the teeth, producing a controlled direction of movement.
What can you do next?
Your orthodontist examines roots, bone, gum thickness, and the desired movement before placement. Keep the site clean as instructed, attend reviews so force can be adjusted, and report looseness, persistent pain, swelling, or rubbing.
When should you seek dental care?
Contact the orthodontic team if the device moves, the surrounding gum becomes swollen, or pain increases instead of settling. Urgent care is needed for spreading infection signs or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What should you ask the dentist?
Where will the TAD be placed, what movement will it support, and how will root position and gum health be monitored? Ask when it will be removed and what happens if it loosens.
Frequently asked questions
Is a TAD the same as a dental implant?
No. A TAD is a temporary orthodontic anchorage device, not a replacement tooth.
Will the screw stay after braces?
It is normally removed when its anchorage role is complete, according to the orthodontic plan.