Temporary Anchorage Devices in Orthodontics

TAD is a temporary anchorage device which is temporary fixed to bone for the purpose of enhancing orthodontic anchorage either by supporting the teeth of the reactive unit or obviating the need for the reactive unit altogether and which is subsequently removed after use.TAD's consist of broad array of implants that include miniplates, mini-screws, micro-screws, palatal implants, retromolar implants as well as functionally loaded prosthetic implants. In addition, TAD's may be a temporary prosthetic component (e.g. bracket attached to the gold crown) that is removed after treatment. They can be located transosteally, subperiosteally or endosteally and can be fixed to bone either mechanically or biochemically (osseointegrated).