FAQs
Indirect Bonding Overview
Indirect bonding has been an exciting advancement in orthodontics over the last 10 years.  It is a great benefit to the clinician as it improves patient comfort, reduces chair time, and improves the accuracy of bracket placement.  This technique also reduces the possibility of moisture contamination and the need to "beat the clock," while working with self-curing bonding composites.  The indirect bonding technique utilizes light cured bonding materials and is a time saver in the busy orthodontic office.  Even skilled clinicians find benefits in the indirect bonding technique because they simply do not have the visual access to all the teeth in all places of space.

What type of impressions or model I need to send  for Indirect Bonding?

You can send to us PVS impressions or the other option is orthodontic stone. We find that stone gives an added level of accuracy in the model pour-up and is more durable to work with in the laboratory. The precision necessary with Indirect Bonding is directly related to the fit of the custom pads to the dental model and teeth, and the best results are achieved by the use of the best practices and materials. We also recommend using a premium-grade alginate such as Kromopan for taking all Indirect Bonding impressions. Kromopan is especially desirable for impressions that cannot be poured immediately; it is accurate and stable if poured within seventy-two hours. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation regarding the proper water-to-powder ratio when mixing the stone.

Do I need to send my brackets with the case?
We will place any manufacturer’s brackets with our Indirect Bonding service. If you maintain your own bracket inventory, please enclose with each case the brackets required for that particular Indirect Bonding setup. Please use a sticky card or some kind of bracket-carrying tray.


Can you use any type of brackets with the Indirect Bonding service?
We have worked with all types of appliances from all manufacturers, and have had success with all of the ceramic brackets and the standard metal appliances. Recently, we have experienced an increased demand for the self-ligating appliances, such as the TIME bracket from American Orthodontics, the Damon Appliance from Ormco, and the GAC Innovation. Although they require special handling, there are no limitations on their use with Indirect Bonding.


How do you determine bracket placement?
We begin with the long axis mark on each tooth, which some orthodontists prefer to do on the cast before sending the case. Then we mark the proper vertical height for bracket placement. The location of vertical height lines depends on the overall size of the teeth. We encourage our customers to provide additional bracket placement information, either as a standard instruction file to be followed on all cases or as special instructions for individual cases. For example, an orthodontist might ask us to place the brackets one millimeter more gingival on an open-bite case, or request over-corrections on certain types of rotations.


How are the molars treated when Indirect Bonding is used?
Over 75% of our Indirect Bonding customers now include bonded molars in their Indirect setups. The anatomy of molars varies so widely, many orthodontists believe the bracket positioning of Indirect is far superior to banding for these teeth. This is especially true when using some of the smaller mini-tubes on the second molars. Another advantage of bonding molars with Indirect is the elimination of spacers at the beginning of treatment and band space at the end. When bands are placed on the posterior teeth, we recommend that they be placed after the Indirect Bonding trays have been delivered. Any movement of the teeth while the trays are being fabricated could create discrepancies between the construction model and the patient’s teeth, and prevent the trays from fitting properly.


What adhesives do most doctors use in the clinic with Indirect Bonding?
With the custom-base method there are two basic choices for clinical bonding: light cure or auto cure. In either system, because of the precise fit of the custom bases to the teeth, only a sealant is required for clinical bonding. Some practices also elect to use a very small amount of paste in the interface between the custom base and the tooth surfaces. This can be done with either the light cure or the chemical cure.

How long does it take to get an Indirect Bonding case from Indirect Bonding Pro?
On average Indirect Bonding cases are processed in our laboratory in three to five working days. We typically estimate two to three days each way for shipping.

How do I ship my models to Indirect Bonding Pro?
Please ship your models or impressions to our mailing address. All finished cases will be shipped back to your office at no charge.