In traditional orthodontic treatment, a system of anchorage control has always been utilized to prevent any unwanted movement of teeth mostly in the posterior area when forces are applied to anterior teeth. These systems would often involve head gear appliances in various forms, fixed wires on the interior of teeth and plastic appliances. The weakness in these systems has always been patient compliance.

In modern orthodontics, we are now using a system for temporary anchorage device (TAD), we can now use miniature implants using titanium materials which can be inserted into the alveolar bone and these have the benefit of provided fixed anchorage so that forces can be applied in different areas of the mouth without unwanted tooth movement. These implants are simple to insert under a local anesthetic and they can then be removed when that portion of treatment is completed. They are small self-tapping screws which can be inserted or removed quite comfortably.