How are braces placed on the teeth?

How are braces placed on the teeth?

There are two methods of placing brackets on the teeth: direct and indirect bonding.

Teeth are first polished and then prepared with a number of different solutions. The placement of braces requires an extremely dry environment. Therefore, a mouth prop is placed to help keep the tongue and cheeks away from the teeth. A suction tube may also be placed to remove any excess saliva.

In the direct bonding technique, braces are placed one by one, and their positions adjusted in the mouth, prior to being secured to the tooth. This time-consuming process is often completed by dental auxiliaries rather than the orthodontist, as it is usually during busy clinic hours.

Indirect bonding (IB), is an efficient and quick alternative. An impression of the mouth is taken and a model poured. Brackets are then placed on the model and a tray is formed around the teeth and braces in the lab. The braces can be transferred via this tray to the top and bottom teeth all at once.

What are some of the advantages of IB?

• Higher degree of accurate bracket placement than with direct bonding (imagine trying to put a brace accurately on a back tooth inside the mouth compared to putting it on a model where you can move it any way you wish).
• Shorter treatment time and fewer appointments since the brackets are placed more accurately at the first appointment.
• More comfortable and less time spent in the chair for the bonding appointment.
• Often no need for bands, so there is no need for uncomfortable separators
• There is a custom base, allowing the bracket to fit more accurately to the conformation to your tooth.
• The orthodontist is the one who determines the location of each bracket prior to your visit.

At Barnett Orthodontics, we recognize the benefits of IB, even though it requires our team more preparation time, lab work, and requires finely trained technical skills. We pride ourselves on the fact that, whenever possible, our patients have braces placed with this technique. It is our goal to provide you with the most efficient, accurate, and comfortable experience possible, from the first day the braces are placed. Please contact our office via our website if you have any additional questions.