MATERIALS USED IN TEMPORARY ANCHORAGE DEVICES (TADS)

Background:Tooth replacement concepts date back to the 18th century, but predictable skeletal anchorage was
established only after Brånemark’s discovery of osseointegration in 1964, making titanium the gold standard.
Orthodontic miniscrews, first introduced by Kanomi in 1997, expanded anchorage options and applications. Implant
biomaterials are broadly classified as biotolerant (stainless steel, cobalt–chromium), bioinert (titanium, carbon), and
bioactive (hydroxyapatite, ceramics), each differing in tissue response from fibrous encapsulation to direct bone contact or chemical bonding, which directly influences the success of temporary anchorage devices.
Materials and Methods: A PRISMA-based systematic review was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and
ScienceDirect (1913–2024), with manual reference checks. Eligible studies included experimental and clinical research on mini-implant materials and their properties. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed quality using CONSORT and STROBE. Owing to heterogeneity, results were qualitatively synthesized by material type and application.
Results: Mini-implants have advanced significantly, becoming reliable TADs for various orthodontic applications.
Titanium and its alloys demonstrated the best stability, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance, while stainless steel, cobalt–chromium, and ceramics offered alternative but less predictable outcomes. Success was influenced by implant design, bone quality, insertion torque, and surface modifications. Recent innovations, including nanotechnology-based surface treatments and digital placement methods, further improved osseointegration, antibacterial properties, and overall clinical predictability.
Conclusion: Mini-implants provide stable, compliance-free anchorage and have become essential in modern
orthodontics. Titanium remains the gold standard, while advances in surface modifications and nanotechnology continue to improve their effectiveness and safety.