Temporary anchorage device utilization: comparison of usage in orthodontic programs and private practice.
OBJECTIVE
There is limited data on how temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are currently used in orthodontics. The aim of this study was to survey two groups of orthodontic providers-graduate orthodontic residencies and private practitioners-about their use.


METHODS
A 15-question survey was prepared and administered to all 61 accredited orthodontic residencies and an equal number of private orthodontic practitioners (all in the United States). A second survey was also included and provided to the residency programs.


RESULTS
The response rate was 63.9% for private practitioners and 70.4% for orthodontic residency programs. The majority of the residency programs (82.9%) and practitioners (69.2%) reported placing TADs in their practices. TADs were placed in 6.0% of the patients treated by private practitioner and in 5.3% of patients treated in residency programs. A combination of topical and local anesthesia was the anesthetic of choice for 59.0% of private practitioners and 65.0% of orthodontic residency programs. A large majority of the private practitioners (79.0%) and orthodontic residency programs (61.9%) reported that the TADs were loaded immediately. The most frequently cited use for TADs was anterior en masse retraction. In total, 27.9% of the residency programs used miniplates, compared to 17.9% of the practitioners.


CONCLUSIONS
Since 2005, a large number of US programs have incorporated TADs into their didactic/research curriculum and residency programs. Both mini-implants and miniplates may have a far-reaching impact on the clinical practice of orthodontics for decades to come. This survey detailed the trends and differences between practitioners and residencies in the TAD utilization experience and provided important information that is otherwise not available in the literature.
Division of Orthodontics, Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH, USA.
Jeffrey M
JM
Shirck
Allen R
AR
Firestone
Frank M
FM
Beck
Katherine W L
KW
Vig
Sarandeep S
SS
Huja
D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003740:Dental Clinics; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education*; D011331:Private Practice; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States