Having a smile that you are confident with can make a huge difference in your happiness. Braces can help you achieve the smile of your dreams, and meeting with your orthodontist at Melbourne Orthodontics is the first step to helping you finally smile with confidence. Braces are a tried-and-true method for correcting teeth placement and improving your smile. While there are many different options in braces, the most common option remains the traditional braces, which utilize a dental glue called bonding cement to affix the actual braces components to the teeth.

About Dental Glue

Traditional braces help to correct teeth position and improve smiles by semi-permanently affixing to the teeth with an incredibly sturdy glue. This glue is designed to stay in place for months to years, holding the wire structure of the braces firmly to the teeth while the braces are gradually adjusted to help correct your smile. While there have been plenty of advancements over the past several decades, the use of glue is one thing that remains the same. The glue is specially designed to bond directly to the enamel of the teeth, and is carefully and completely washed off of the teeth once the braces are removed. When you get braces from your Melbourne, Fl orthodontist, Dr. Reddick will ensure that the glue is placed on the teeth carefully and removed fully at the end of your treatment, leaving you with a straightened smile and no residue or staining from the glue.

Dental glue is specifically designed for oral use. While it is not meant to be swallowed, the glue is non-toxic and is designed to help support the teeth during dental work. In addition to its use with orthodontics, dental glue is occasionally used for dental fillings.

Bonding Braces

Braces are affixed to the teeth through a bonding procedure using the dental glue. The procedure is designed to ensure that the braces are firmly attached to the teeth, and that the teeth will remain healthy while the braces are used to help straighten their position.

The procedure of bonding the braces with the application of glue goes as follows:

1. First the teeth are polished with a non-flavored paste. This is to ensure that the teeth are appropriately cleaned prior to the braces being affixed to their surface. This is an incredibly important step, as failing to properly clean the teeth prior to applying the braces could lead to dental issues like cavities, gum disease, or tooth decay.
2. Once the teeth are appropriately cleaned a cheek retractor is put in place. This is designed to help ensure that the teeth stay dry as the braces are put into place, and it makes it easier for your orthodontist to visualize the teeth.
3. Once the cheek retractor is in place, your doctor will conduct a gentle air-drying of the surface of the teeth. Any moisture could interfere with the ability of the braces to properly bond to the teeth. A conditioner is also applied to the teeth at this time. This process generally takes about 30 seconds.
4. Once the conditioner is dried, a bonding cement is put onto the backside of the braces, which are covered with a mesh that is designed to help secure the braces to the teeth. Any excess cement is carefully removed from the teeth.
5. There are some bonding cements that are light sensitive, and in these cases a bright blue light is beamed onto the teeth to “cure” the glue. There are some bonding agents that are cured with chemicals and so they do not require the blue light.
6. Once the dental glue is bonded and the braces are in place, the wires are installed and the cheek retractor is removed. The wires are designed to be easily adjusted as the braces are gradually tightened to continue straightening your teeth. There are no further adjustments needed with the glue from this point.

The entire bonding process of gluing the braces to the teeth only takes about 15 minutes. When it is time to have the braces removed, the glue is carefully removed from the enamel and Dr. Reddick takes additional steps to ensure no visible staining as a result of the braces. Contact us today by phone or online if you have any questions or concerns about the process of getting braces or the bonding cement used to get your best smile!