Anchorage plays a crucial role in orthodontics as it determines the success of the treatment by controlling tooth movement in the desired direction. Orthodontic therapy relies on using teeth, intraoral, extraoral, and/or intermaxillary appliances for anchorage. A temporary anchorage device (TAD) is temporarily fixed in the bone to enhance orthodontic anchorage either by supporting the teeth of the reactive unit or by obviating the need for the reactive unit altogether. It is subsequently removed after the desired movements are achieved. These are made of biocompatible materials such as Titanium and Stainless Steel. They are made using materials that do not promote osseointegration for their removal without damaging adjacent bone. 

They are of two main types: Miniscrews and Miniplates of which, the former are the most used in regular clinical practice. They are easy to insert and retrieve and when accurately placed, provide absolute maximum anchorage in cases where only individual or segments of teeth are moved within biological limits to form ideal esthetics, occlusion, and ultimately ideal function. Common clinical usages of TADs include retraction of anterior teeth, intrusion to treat gummy smile, uprighting tilted teeth, expansion of palate to correct narrow arches, bone anchored maxillary protraction, open bite correction, and innumerable individual cases that require maximum support without compromising on comfort and esthetics during the treatment.