In the past, orthodontists faced with improperly positioned teeth would often use a headgear to make sure teeth didn't move in unwanted directions. The problem is that headgear is difficult to wear, so results are not very predictable. In some cases, the teeth are so far from ideal, surgery would be necessary to improve the bite without pulling the jaws out of the socket.

One of the newest innovations to be available in orthodontics involves the use of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) to move teeth. TADs are small attachments that Dr. Chmura places directly into the bone to provide absolute anchorage for tooth movement. TADs are placed using a topical gel. Most of our patients report absolutely no soreness due to the TADs (although they do the enhanced pressure on the teeth). TADs are great, because they allow us to achieve excellent results without the aggravation of headgear and can even allow us to fix some situations which used to require surgery.