TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) in Kent and Sammamish
Temporary anchorage devices give Dr. Freelove a fixed point to move teeth that braces alone cannot control. At Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design, TADs are planned using digital records and clinically indicated imaging and placed in-office under local anesthesia, with no separate oral surgery visit for placement.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
What Are TADs?
A temporary anchorage device, or TAD, is a small mini-screw placed in the jaw bone to serve as a fixed anchor for tooth movement. Because the TAD itself does not move, it lets the orthodontist push or pull specific teeth without dragging the neighboring teeth along with them.
TADs are temporary by design. They stay in place only for the phase of treatment that needs the extra anchorage. When that phase is done, Dr. Freelove removes the TAD in a short visit and the site typically heals quickly.
When TADs Are the Right Tool
TADs earn their place when the case demands force control that conventional braces or aligners cannot provide on their own. Dr. Freelove confirms candidacy from digital records and clinically indicated imaging before any TAD is planned.
Skeletal Open Bite
For open bites caused by posterior maxillary excess, Dr. Freelove uses TADs to intrude the back teeth so the front teeth can come together, one of the approaches that can address a skeletal open bite without jaw surgery in selected cases.
MARPE Expansion
Miniscrew-assisted palatal expansion (MARPE) anchors the expander to the palate with mini-screws that Dr. Freelove places in-office, allowing skeletal expansion of a narrow upper jaw.
Anchorage Control
When spaces need to close in one direction only, a TAD holds the anchor side still so the teeth that should move are the only ones that do.
How TAD Placement Works at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design
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Digital Planning
Every TAD is planned using digital records and clinically indicated imaging. When clinically indicated, the CBCT, complimentary at the consultation, maps bone thickness, root positions, and the safest placement site before the appointment.
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In-Office Anesthesia
Dr. Freelove administers local anesthesia in-office. There is no referral to an outside surgeon for placement.
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Placement
Dr. Freelove places the TAD at the planned site in a short appointment, then verifies its position before connecting it to the treatment mechanics.
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Active Use and Removal
The TAD anchors the planned tooth movement for as long as the case requires. When its job is done, Dr. Freelove removes it in a brief visit.
Why In-Office TAD Placement Matters
Many orthodontic offices refer patients out to an oral surgeon for TAD placement, which adds a separate office, separate scheduling, and a hand-off in the middle of treatment. Dr. Freelove places TADs himself, in-office, under local anesthesia he administers, in the same office where the rest of treatment happens.
That capability reflects focused training. Dr. Freelove has completed advanced continuing education in TADs and miniscrew-assisted expansion, including in-office MARPE courses with Ilya Lipkin, Richard Ting, and Jeremy Manuele, and every placement is planned using digital records and clinically indicated imaging before the appointment.
What Does It Feel Like?
Placement happens under local anesthesia, so the area is numb during the procedure. Patients typically describe pressure rather than sharp discomfort. Soreness afterward is usually mild and settles within a few days.
Dr. Freelove recommends over-the-counter ibuprofen and Tylenol as needed, and the office offers the Dental Pain Eraser, a vibration-based comfort device, for in-office relief. Gentle brushing around the TAD keeps the site clean while it is in service.
How Much Do TADs Cost?
When a TAD (temporary anchorage device) is used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design, it is a $500 add-on to the treatment fee. Dr. Freelove places the TAD in the office, so there is no separate surgical referral.
Every consultation is free and includes a digital intraoral scan, so patients know before starting whether a TAD belongs in the plan and what the full fee will be.
Financing
- In-House Financing: 0% financing options available, no credit check, from $300 down.
- CareCredit: $0 down for approved credit.
- Pay-in-Full Discount: 5% off total treatment cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About TADs
Does getting a TAD hurt?
No sharp pain is expected during placement because Dr. Freelove numbs the area with local anesthesia first. Most patients notice pressure during the procedure and mild soreness for a few days afterward, managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen or Tylenol. The office also offers the Dental Pain Eraser, a vibration-based comfort device, for in-office relief.
Who places the TAD?
Dr. Freelove places TADs himself, in-office, under local anesthesia he administers. There is no referral to an outside oral surgeon for placement. He has completed advanced continuing education in TADs and miniscrew-assisted expansion, and every placement is planned using digital records and clinically indicated imaging.
How long does a TAD stay in?
Only as long as the case needs the extra anchorage, which varies with the treatment plan. When that phase of treatment is complete, Dr. Freelove removes the TAD in a short visit and the site typically heals quickly.
What should I do if a TAD feels loose?
Call the office ahead of the next visit. A loose TAD is rarely an emergency; Dr. Freelove will assess it and decide whether it needs to be repositioned or whether treatment can continue without it.
Are TADs an extra fee on top of treatment?
When TADs are clinically indicated as part of a comprehensive plan at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design, they are included in the overall treatment fee. The free consultation, which includes a digital intraoral scan, establishes the full fee before treatment starts. For a standalone TAD placed outside a comprehensive case, the fee is $500 per device.
Conditions Where TADs Are Used
Free TAD Evaluation Consultation
Every free consultation includes a full biomechanical evaluation. Dr. Freelove reviews honestly whether TADs are the right tool for the case, and, when they are not, which conventional alternatives will deliver the same result.