Indirect Bonding

We have been very pleased with White Orthodontics. We love the beautiful new facilities! The staff has always been pleasant. Dr. White and the other staff members have kept us well informed and have done a great job explaining how to use rubber bands, headgear, etc. How time has flown-it is hard to believe it’s time for braces to come off! The years go by quickly! We appreciate the phone calls a day ahead to remind us of our appointments. We’ve never found scheduling appointments to be a problem, and at times, we’ve received calls to schedule us earlier in the month than we anticipated. The children LOVE the video arcade-it keeps them entertained while they wait! We’ll continue coming to White Orthodontics—two more mouths to go! Thank you!

- The Wimbish Family

Indirect Bonding for Quick and Accurate Brace Placement

Appliance Placement

When it comes to placing braces, nobody does it more accurately, more comfortably, or faster. The types of braces or appliances patients wear will depend on their particular problem. We employ an advanced technique called indirect bonding that is used by 8% of the orthodontists in the United States. Using this technique, we are able to place a complete set of braces, including expanders (if needed) with archwires in less than an hour. In a typical orthodontic practice, this process usually takes 2-3 hours. (The only complaint we get from our younger patients is that they are not missing enough school!)

Indirect Bonding

Indirect bonding starts in our in-house laboratory. Orthodontic brackets are positioned on plaster models of the patient's teeth in their ideal locations using special measuring devices. A custom-made elastic tray (similar to an athletic mouth guard) is formed around the brackets and the model. The bonding tray retains the brackets as it is separated from the model. After the tray is sterilized, it is now ready for bonding. The teeth are dried and conditioned.

A special adhesive is placed on the patient's teeth and a special light is used to harden the adhesive. After the adhesive is cured, the bonding tray is removed, leaving the brackets precisely positioned on the patient's teeth. Then archwires are placed into brackets to begin the alignment process. Obviously, indirect bonding means fewer visits, shorter appointments, and a higher level of patient comfort.

In other orthodontic practices braces are placed over several weeks, typically involving 1 or 2 appointments taking approximately 1 1/2 to 3 hours each. Separators are placed between the back teeth to create space for the placement of orthodontic bands (metal rings that encircle the back teeth). They are usually left in place for approximately one week. Spacers are typically very painful and in our practice are not used to create space. After these spacers are removed, orthodontic bands are placed around the back teeth and under the gums. This tends to be uncomfortable and very difficult to clean.

Unfortunately, the majority of orthodontists do not place brackets or orthodontic bands on the very back teeth (2nd molars), which in our opinion, is necessary to correct your bite. Whenever possible we use small orthodontic brackets to eliminate the need for bands all together.


Adhesive	Light Curing	Tray Removal	Braces On!

Precision Indirect Bonding Conventional Direct Bonding

Description	Braces placed on models of patient's teeth. Full set of braces transferred to mouth with soft plastic trays.	Braces placed directly on each tooth one at a time, and adjusted by orthodontist until reasonable position achieved.
Chair Time	30-45 min. (Full Set)	1 1/2 to 3 Hours (Full Set)
Accuracy	High	Low to Moderate (Accuracy decreases for back teeth)
Patient Comfort	High	Moderate (Brackets Only) Low (Spacers / Orthodontic Bands)
Results	Quick, Precise Brace Placement	Variable: Subsequent bonding appointments needed to reposition braces for accuracy or long wire adjustment appointments needed to overcome inaccurate brace placement.

Adjustments

The brackets are the fixed "non-moving" parts of the braces. Once they are placed properly on the teeth, they do not move. The archwires are the "moving" part of the appliance. These wires are changed periodically to apply the proper force to guide the teeth into alignment, close the extraction spaces, and correct the bite.

Our practice employs archwires with space-age technology. These wires were developed through research done by NASA. They move teeth with light force and longer activation, which means more comfort and less frequent appointments. Once the appliances are placed we typically see our patients at 6-14 week intervals to adjust their braces.

More comfort, shorter appointments and less frequent visits to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile… NOW THAT'S SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!