TAD stands for Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD)

TADs are small titanium anchors that can be used in orthodontics to move teeth faster and make patients more comfortable. TADs can be worn instead of headwear or in addition to it.

How do TADs get put in place?

Before putting in the TAD, the gums and jaw are numbed with a strong anesthetic. Before putting the TAD into the jawbone, an anesthetic cream will be put on the area. A TAD operation could be done in just a few seconds, and you might not even notice. As your doctor puts in the TAD, you may feel some pressure, but this will go away in a day. When your treatment is done or when it is no longer needed to straighten your teeth, your TAD will be taken off. Getting rid of a TAD is a quick and painless process.

What can I do to make the discomfort from TAD insertion go away?

If you feel pain after getting your TADs put in, Tylenol® should be given to you. If you still feel pain after your treatment, you should call your orthodontist right away.

How can I keep the junk from getting into my TAD?

By brushing your teeth at least three times a day, you can clean both your TAD and your braces. We will also give you an antimicrobial mouthwash to use twice a day after the TAD is put in.

Please get in touch with our office if you have any questions about TADs. Please let us know if you have any worries or questions about your upcoming orthodontic care.

Retention in orthodontics

Use your efforts to their fullest and keep your smile in good shape.

Finally, you got rid of your metal braces, and now your teeth are straight and beautiful. You still have a long way to go on your way to straight teeth. If you wear a retainer, you can be sure that your teeth will stay in the best shape possible and that your results will last. With retainers, shifting teeth can be stopped or at least made less likely. A retainer is a device that helps keep teeth straight after braces are taken off. It does this while the tissues around the teeth adjust to the new position of the teeth.

Different kinds of retainers

Each retainer is different and can be taken off or stuck on for good.

Traditional removable retainers usually have an acrylic arch on one end and a metal wire on the other. As needed to finish the treatment and move the front teeth a little further, the metal wires can be changed.

Essix retainers, which are also called aligner-style retainers, look like clear aligners and are a better choice than wire retainers. Wear this clear retainer from your canine to your molar, or all the way across your teeth (clip-on retainer). It is made from a mold of your teeth after they have been straightened.

The metal wires of a fixed retainer are attached to your teeth. Even though the device isn’t needed for more than a year after the wisdom teeth are taken out, it’s often left in place permanently.

Advantages and disadvantages

Retainers that can be taken out can be taken out to eat or clean your teeth.

Since it’s easy to lose removable retainers, put them back in the case every time you take them out to eat or brush your teeth.

If you don’t want to keep track of it or worry about how many hours a day it needs to be worn, a fixed retainer is a good choice.

When you have permanent retainers, it’s a little harder to floss and get tartar off your teeth. People who wear fixed retainers often need floss threaders to get dental floss between the retainer and their teeth.

Retainer Instructions.

Always wear your retainer, unless your orthodontist tells you otherwise.

Make sure your retainer is stored safely in its case when you eat. (Most of the time, missing items are found in school cafeterias or restaurants.)

Use a toothbrush and toothpaste once a day to clean the retainer very well. In this case, you should use warm, but not hot, water. Plaque and bad smells may be removed from retainers if you brush them. Even though there are cleaners for orthodontic appliances like Efferdent®, you should still brush your teeth after every meal.

Make sure that your retainer is always in its case when you are not wearing it. They are fun for pets to chew on.

At first, it might be hard for you to talk. To get used to it, speak, read, or sing out loud as much as you can.

Because retainers are fragile, you should handle them with extra care. If you lose or destroy your retainer, please let us know right away.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns about your retainer. Don’t try to change anything on your own.

Bring your retainer to the orthodontist every time.

Even though getting new retainers is expensive, if you take good care of them, they can last a very long time.

Take out your retainer if you want to swim.

Make sure your retainers aren’t touching anything hot, like the dashboard of your car, your pocket, or the washing machine.