Braces can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic. They are placed most commonly on the tooth surface or on the underside of teeth if desired. Braces add pressure to your teeth for six months to three years and align them for a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Step 1
Visit an orthodontist. An X-ray and impression of your mouth will be taken.
Step 2
Study the impression and X-ray. The dentist will develop a plan of action to straighten your teeth.
Step 3
Place one clear plastic retractor on the left inside of your cheek and pull. This will hold back your lips and tongue. Repeat this procedure for the right side.
Step 4
Open the etching agent container and dip the cotton swab in it.
Step 5
Swab the etching agent on each tooth using the cotton swab and let it sit for 60 seconds. This prepares your tooth to receive the bonding agent.
Step 6
Put the bonding agent on the backside of bracket using the glue gun. Place the backside of the bracket on the site where the etching agent was placed on the tooth.
Step 7
Repeat step 6 until all brackets are on all teeth.
Step 8
Shine the plasma light on the upper row of teeth for five minutes. This stiffens the bonding material. Adjust the brackets if crooked.
Step 9
Repeat step 8 for the bottom row of teeth.
Step 10
Move the arch wire along the prongs of the brackets so that it stays in place. This is much like connecting the dots.
Step 11
Hold a ligature elastic band with a tweezer and place the elastic band around the perimeter of the bracket. This will hold the arch wire in place.
Step 12
Repeat step 11 for all teeth.
Tips and Warnings
- If a tooth is far out of line, skip step 10 and return to it after placing elastic ligature bands on each bracket. When returning to the skipped bracket, connect the elastic plastic chain to the bracket and tie both ends of it to the arch wire.
Things You'll Need
- 2 Clear plastic retractors
- Etching agent
- Cotton swab
- Metal (or ceramic) brackets
- Glue gun with bonding material
- Plasma light
- Arch wire
- Ligature elastics
- Tweezer
- Elastic plastic chain
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