TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) are transitional mini-implants or screws that are an effective tool orthodontists (“ortho” = movement, “dont” = teeth) use to help move teeth more quickly and accurately during treatment. This new technology consists of mini-screws or mini-implants that are temporarily placed into the bone of the jaws to be used as non-mobile anchor units to facilitate tooth movement. They are quite small and can be placed using a simple local anesthesia (numbing shots in the area). And once they've served their purpose, they are removed.

Learn more when you continue reading this Dear Doctor response to an actual patient's email, What are TADs.

When it comes to permanently replacing a teenager's missing tooth, timing is everything. As a parent or caregiver, of course you want what's best, and an implant provides the highest quality of life in addition to being the best long-term solution...so why should you and your child have to wait? The most important reason for delaying is to ensure that your teen's jaws and facial growth are complete. Until your adolescents have completed this phase of growth, their jaws and teeth are still changing. If a dental implant is placed during this time, it will not expand and grow with the jaws resulting in what appear to be “buried teeth” as natural teeth move and grow around it. Waiting until growth is complete is the best policy; thus, your child will need to see your dentist or orthodontist to determine when growth should be complete.

Understand more about this procedure and timing in Teenagers and Dental Implants.

The news may be shocking for some but bone regeneration for implant dentistry is a routine procedure in periodontal and oral surgery. With new technology, dentists today are able to use grafting materials to regenerate lost bone with predictable results. This ability is critical for patients who need to replace missing teeth but lack enough bone for anchoring implants.

Learn more about the process of guided bone regeneration plus some questions to ask your dentist should you find yourself lacking sufficient bone volume for an implant in this consultation article, Can Dentists Rebuild Bone?

There is no debating the importance of having a skilled dental professional who specializes in dental implants to replace missing teeth permanently. However, are you aware of the important role your personal biology has in the procedure? For example, you must have enough bone for implants to be anchored in successfully. And if you have thicker gum tissue, your results may be better because thicker tissue types are more forgiving and have less show through of certain implant components than thinner gum tissue types. On a positive note, both bone and gum tissue can be created with innovative grafting techniques for optimal implant results. In addition to the expertise, it requires artistry.

Learn more in Implant Aesthetics.

You've broken or severely damaged a tooth and need an implant...do you know your options? Chances are you don't which could cause needless worry. In this consultation article, you will learn the basics about implant dentistry and the fact that as surgical techniques and technology have improved, so have your tooth replacement options. And once your implant is in place, you will be well on your way to good oral health as your new implant is not susceptible to decay or periodontal (gum) disease in the same way as a natural tooth!

Learn more in Immediate Implants.

If you are about to have a permanent tooth extracted, understanding the options your dentist presents is critical as implants and bridgework both have their pros and cons. An implant is actually a root replacement; however, unlike the root of a tooth, the implant actually fuses to the jawbone with a permanent crown attached to it. Implants function and look just like natural teeth. By contrast, a fixed bridge is a restoration or prosthesis (replacement part) that is fixed in place by attaching it to adjacent natural teeth.

Learn more by reading the consultation article on Implants vs. Bridgework.

In addition to more than 40 different types of traditional or standard dental implants, there are now mini and even micro-mini implants; thus you can easily see the importance of understanding your options when talking to your dentist about your specific needs. From single and multi-tooth replacements to different combinations of fixed and removable bridgework and over-dentures, your dentist will select the type of implant that best resolves your particular tooth replacement challenges. In fact, if you have loose dentures, implant-supported over-dentures are now considered the standard of care for patients who have lost all their teeth in one or both jaws.

You may have heard the term “dental implant,” but do you really know what it is? Teeth essentially can be thought of having two main parts: the crown, the part of the tooth that can be seen above the gum tissues, and the root, the part that is suspended in the bone by periodontal ligament (“peri” = around; “odont” = tooth) that keeps the tooth in place. A dental implant is a tooth replacement system in which an extracted tooth and its root are replaced with a new metal “root” (implant) that is typically made of titanium. The new tooth, usually made of porcelain, is then attached to the implant via a retaining screw and abutment connector.

While implants were introduced into dental practices in the late 1970s, you may be surprised to know that the earliest recorded attempts of their use date back to the Mayan civilization around 600 A.D. Needless to say, dental implants have undergone giant leaps in improved design, success, and overall patient satisfaction since those ancient times! In fact, today's dental implants actually integrate or fuse to the jawbone for the teeth they replace. And once integrated and functional, they can easily last a lifetime. Today's implants are so successful they're often referred to as your third set of teeth.

The lack of teeth or an ill-fitted denture can be far more detrimental to your overall health than most people can imagine. It can have a horrific impact on your self-confidence, your ability to speak clearly, and leave you with serious nutritional disadvantages. These troubling issues are the reasons behind the research, continued development, and latest techniques in Implantology. This comprehensive article discusses the treatment options, the science behind them, and how this new standard of care, the two-implant overdenture, could change your life—permanently while reducing your chances for lower jawbone loss by 75%!