In the past, orthodontists relied on headgear and oral surgery to fix teeth problems that needed more power to shift than braces could provide. However, the orthodontic space is changing, and orthodontists are getting modern, easier-to-use tools that are more effective.
We now have temporary anchorage devices replacing the old, more complicated procedures like we are slowly replacing film radiography with more effective digital X-ray machines. Abbreviated as TADs, temporary anchorage devices feature minimal invasiveness but create a fixed point for your targeted teeth to move from while keeping other teeth in place.
Suppose you haven't started using TADs in your practice. In that case, this detailed guide will provide reasons to use orthodontic micro-implants to make your treatment procedures more manageable and effective.
Benefits of Using Temporary Anchorage Devices for Treating Malocclusion
1. Faster Treatment
When treating malocclusions, TADs give you the ability to predict tooth movement. Predictability allows you to plan the treatment procedure to reduce the treatment time. Your patients get their desired results faster.
2. Simplified Tooth Movements
Temporary anchorage devices are vital in facilitating tooth movement that would have otherwise been impossible. By providing anchorage, they ensure only the correct teeth are moving. For this reason, you can offer hassle-free orthodontic treatment if you combine the TADs with the right self-ligating brackets and Superelastic NiTi archwires.
3. Easy Placement & Removal
When planning your orthodontic treatment, you probably want something that makes things easy for your patient. TADs do not require surgery to install. Similarly, you won't use surgery to remove them.
Your patient does not have to deal with pain during the installation and removal of the TADs. Also, using a local anesthetic makes things more comfortable for the patient.
4. High Flexibility
Temporary anchorage devices are not limited by age. Moreover, they do not have specific areas where you must fix them—you can use them in different areas of the mouth.
5. Affordability
Temporary anchorage devices can help your patients save money. By eliminating the need for expensive, intrusive dental work—for example, when treating midline misalignment—you make the orthodontic procedures easy on your patient's wallet.
TADs Effectiveness: Let's See What the Research Says
2010 Study
In this 2010 study, researchers used over 455 cases to analyze the effectiveness of TADs in orthodontic treatment. The researchers took their time to explore different types of implants.
At the end of the study, the researchers concluded TADs had a success rate of approximately 90%. This conclusion noted that TADs perform exceptionally well in orthodontic treatments.
2019 Study
In this 2019 study, researchers analyzed the effectiveness of temporary anchorage devices in treating maxillary tooth retraction. Patients between the ages of 12 and 50 years with bilateral 1st or 2nd maxillary bicuspid extractions were used as the study subjects.
The researchers implemented retraction of the anterior teeth using temporary anchorage devices in the study group and conventional dental anchorage in the control group. After alignment, a CT (computed tomography) scan was used, and a 2nd CT was done at the end of the extraction space closure in the two groups.
The results showed less anchorage loss in the group using TADs than in conventional dental anchorage. The researchers concluded that in comparison to the traditional dental anchorage, the TADs were more effective.
2020 Study
In 2019, researchers reviewed several studies to analyze the effectiveness of temporary anchorage devices. In the study, the scientists considered a total of 17 studies.
The results showed that TADs displayed a high success rate, above 90% in most studies. Only one study had a low success rate of the TADs. This indicates that TADs are effective in doing their job.
Are the Materials Used for TADs Safe for Your Patients?
As an orthodontist, one of your goals is to use materials that won't hurt your patient's health. Luckily, temporary anchorage devices—including tongue tamers for treating open bites—are manufactured using healthy materials.
TADs are manufactured using a titanium-alloy material. Just like malocclusion treatment wires combine nikel and titanium—which is why they are often referred to as NiTi heat-activated archwires—TADs also use a similar corrosion-resistant alloy material.
A research study performed in 2021 confirmed the materials used in TADs. The researchers noted that TADs use an alloy of either pure commercial titanium or grade V titanium. The study indicated that grade V titanium is generally favored because it is stronger than pure commercial titanium.
High-quality titanium is inert—it does not rust or release ions that can harm your patient's health. Titanium alloy TADs generally have a length between 6 and 12 millimeters, with a diameter of fewer than two millimeters. When you use your orthodontic pliers to install the TADs, their small size assures you that the patient will get used to them quickly.
How Do You Install Temporary Anchorage Devices?
You can use TADs in multiple places in your patient's mouth, including the palate and the gums. Armed with your orthodontic tools—including your orthodontic cinch back pliers—you typically place the TADs near the tooth you want to move and align the implant in your preferred motion direction.
You can pair the TAD with a durable rubber band that connects your implant with a brace on the targeted tooth. Alternatively, if your goal is close gaps in the teeth, you can always work with the TAD, and a JISCOP NiTi closed coil spring.
The process of installing a temporary anchorage device is both easy and fast. It will take you a couple of minutes. You can always use a local anesthetic to improve your patient's comfort during installation.
Overview
Aligning and changing the position of a patient's teeth has never been an easy task. However, with advancements in orthodontic treatment methods, things seem to be changing and becoming less complicated. One new upgrade currently making waves are the temporary anchorage devices.
TADs make otherwise impossible movements possible. This allows orthodontists to deliver better results for their patients.
If you haven't adopted TADs in your clinic, this detailed guide shows you why you should. From saving your patients money to delivering results so good that the customers keep returning for more, TAD is a solution you do not want to ignore.
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