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Fixing of the braces

On the day the braces are to be fixed the dentist or his assistant cleans the teeth and polishes them so that all surface deposits are removed from the teeth, enabling fixation of the brackest on the teeth.
The next step involves the placement of bands on the back teeth. The bands come in various sizes. The orthodontist selects the size that would fit your tooth and cements it around them.
The next step is the fixation of the brackets on the other teeth. This is called bonding. Before the fixation is done the orthodontist or his assistant slides a cheek retractor between your lips and the teeth to keep the lips away from the teeth. He would also place cotton rolls and a suction device to remove the accumulating saliva. This is done because the teeth have to be dry and devoid of any surface wetness during the fixation of brackets.
Next the teeth are etched using acid solution or gel so that small amount of surface roughness is created to help in adherence of the brackets.
The brackets are fixed on to the teeth by using a special adhesive that is applied on the under surface of the bracket.

Does it hurt when the braces are being fixed?

It does not hurt when the braces are being fixed. The soreness and pain start after a few hours. You can ask the dentist to prescribe a pain reliever for you like aspirin.
You can use wax over areas of the braces that hurt the lips or cheeks.
Sometimes the wire starts piercing the cheeks from the end of the braces after a few days or weeks of treatment. This is because the teeth have already started moving. So you can go to the orthodontist and have the wire trimmed.

How long does it take to fix the braces?

The braces take about 11/2 - 2 hours to fix. So keep yourself free to be with your dentist for a few hours. You can even take half day off from office or school.

Do I have to go back to the orthodontist after the fixation?

The orthodontist schedules an appointment after 4-6 weeks. The follow-up orthodontic appointment is every 4 weeks.
During these appointments the dentist may change the wires as the desired results are achieved and may even tighten the braces.
Teeth move very slowly (about 1mm /month). The force applied on the tooth by the braces should be tolerable by the teeth and the comfort of the patient. So the tightening is done gradually at regular appointments so that the teeth and the surrounding tissues are not hurt.

Does it hurt while removing the braces?

Once the treatment is completed the orthodontist will remove the braces. It does not cause any pain to remove the brackets. They are easily removed by using special pliers.