How Do Orthodontists Get Brackets to Stick to Teeth?

Are you currently awaiting the day that you get your braces put on at Dr. Bob Bryan Orthodontics in Allentown, PA? If so, Dr. Robert Bryan wants to ease your nerves by pointing out that with today’s new materials and procedures, brackets are securely glued onto the surface of the teeth quickly and painlessly. To better prepare patients, below are the steps that go into the bonding procedure:

• The teeth are prepped by polishing them with an unflavored paste
• The cheeks are pulled back by a dental cheek and lip retractor so that the teeth are visible and can stay dry
• The teeth are dried and a conditioner is placed on each tooth
• A primer is placed on the teeth
• A bonding cement is placed on the bracket to secure the bracket on the tooth
• A blue light is used to “cure” the cement
• The cheek/lip retractor is removed and the wires are placed in the brackets

The entire bonding procedure can take anywhere from 10-20 minutes to complete. Again, placing the brackets is relatively pain-free, but is the cheek/lip retractor that most of the discomfort comes from in which your cheeks and lips may become dry and tired from being stretched; this will quickly pass. If you have any questions or concerns about the bonding procedure contact Dr. Bryan at 610.435.2788 or visit Dr. Bob Bryan Orthodontics when and if you are in the Allentown, PA area. See you soon!