How to Put on Braces Step by Step

When we analyze how the brackets are put on, we must take into account both the previous steps and other subsequent functions that allow us to adjust the bracket to the dental pieces.

Currently, it is possible to have an aesthetic smile through personalized orthodontic treatments, which align the teeth correctly and permanently. To achieve this, it is essential that the process of placing the brackets is correct and adapted to the conditions of each patient.

Next, we are going to analyze how the braces are placed and how long this process takes.

Step 1. Dental Cleaning

Before starting the work of placing the bracket, it is essential to properly clean all the dental pieces. This process is carried out by cleaning the vestibular area of ​​the tooth, that is, the front part, to remove any residue that could get between the piece itself and the bracket.

In orthodontics it is essential that each piece is correctly fixed to the tooth, to achieve this, we start with a deep dental cleaning.

Step 2. Demineralization of the Tooth

Once the cleaning is complete, we add orthophosphoric acid, a blue liquid that allows the tooth to be demineralized. The objective is to create micropores that allow the adhesion area to be increased.

The orthodontics must be fixed throughout the duration of the treatment, the demineralization of the enamel guarantees a correct fixation of the bracket in the long term.

Step 3. Adhesive Location

The adhesive we use to carry out orthodontics is transparent and can be applied very precisely. The objective is that the glue only reaches the contact area between the bracket and the tooth, once adhered, we apply the effect of polymerizing light, which allows the glue to dry immediately and the bracket to adhere correctly.

Step 4. Bracket Placement

This is the process in which we place the bracket on the tooth. How do you put the brackets on? Once the area is prepared, we begin to cement the vestibular area that we have previously cleaned. The cementation process can be located in the anterior part in the case of traditional brackets, and in the posterior part in the new invisible designs.

Each bracket has a different position and height, depending on the location of the piece itself. It is very important that the orthodontist correctly determines the position of each bracket so that the alignment process is adapted to the patient’s conditions.

The cement comes into contact with the bracket and acts as a permanent fixative, it also allows that once the treatment is finished, there is no sign left on the tooth. It is important to insist that each bracket has a different size, which is adjusted to each tooth and to the position we want it to occupy.

Step 5. Placement of the Arches

Once the bracket has been cemented, we proceed to place the orthodontic arches. The arches are the visible wires that will join each bracket, tied with rubber bands that we will change approximately every month.

Step 6. Bite Lift 

In some cases, orthodontics is completed with the application of bite lifts, passive auxiliary elements that allow correcting overbites or excessively deep bites. Bite lifts may seem uncomfortable at first, however, over time they wear down and completely conform to your bite.

How Long does it Take to put on Braces?

Bracket placement times depend on the type of orthodontics we have chosen. The entire process lasts between 30 and 50 minutes, although it may take longer in particularly complex cases or those that require special orthodontics.

Tips to keep your braces in good condition

Once the brackets are placed, it is advisable to follow a series of recommendations that allow us to keep them in perfect condition.

• Dental hygiene is essential in any circumstance, especially when we wear braces. Take your time and take care of the hygiene of your teeth on a daily basis.
• Diet is also an important factor in braces care. Avoid hard foods or foods that can stick to the bows to make cleaning easier.
• Always floss your teeth. Dental floss or floss allows for deep interdental cleaning and also sanitizes hard-to-reach areas of the bracket.
• Brushing must always be correct. Brush your teeth for at least three minutes three times a day, and of course, whenever you eat. In addition to cleaning the tooth, it is also important that you sanitize the visible part of the bracket. Brushing is more effective with an electric toothbrush.
• Always use mouthwash. The rinse eliminates all the bacteria that accumulate in the mouth and reinforces the cleaning that we carry out with dental floss and brushing.
• Revisions are also a fundamental part of orthodontic maintenance. The orthodontist will be in charge of establishing a schedule of visits and check-ups that it is important to comply with, to ensure that the orthodontics sit correctly and dental movement is adequate.
• Do not forget your brush, it is important that you clean your teeth whenever necessary and maintain proper dental hygiene.

In general terms, orthodontic maintenance is based on proper hygiene and attendance at check-ups, although it is also important to use other cleaning methods that keep orthodontics in perfect condition.