All About Band Material in
Orthodontics
DEC 25, 2022 / by kck / in Dental Products
Screwed up with banding appointments? Are you confused on choosing the band material for your patients?
Have a close look at the band materials in orthodontics!
What is an Orthodontic Band?
Orthodontic bands are custom fitted ring shaped devices designed to wrap around your patients’ tooth and
cemented in place. It’s a durable treatment than square brackets, by simply attaching to the front of a tooth. The
orthodontic bands provide a solid anchoring system for the arch wire of braces.
When Should you Use an Orthodontic Band?
It’s not necessary that all the patients will need orthodontic band as a part of their dental treatment.
You should use high-quality bands in orthodontics in the following circumstances,
Major correction to tooth alignment, gaps or bites
If the bone structure is less malleable due to disease or age
To isolate a teeth in child
Stable attachment point for headgear used to correct an overbite
If there is a history of dislodging or loosening traditional brackets
Band materials obviously, decide the quality of your banding procedure. It should be durable and provides a
reliable connection point for orthodontic equipments.
Ideal Requirements of Band Material in
Orthodontics
The material should fit the contours of teeth as close as possible
Resist deformation under stress in mouth
Inherent springiness
Have no occlusal interference
Resist tarnish
Stiff and strong
The material shouldn’t extend subgingivally more than required
Soft and ductile
Selection of Band Material in Orthodontics
Incisor bands – These band materials are usually thinner and vary from 0.12 inch in width and 0.003 to 0.004
inch in thickness.
Premolar bands – The premolar band material in orthodontics have a thickness of 0.04 inch and 0.15 inch width.
Molar bands – Molar bands are commonly used in orthodontics with 0.005- 0.006 inch thickness and 0.18 to
0.20 inch width.
Preformed bands – These bands are available in various sizes for different teeth with prewelded attachments.
Fabricating and Fitting Bands in Orthodontics
Upper premolar bands – the bands are designed to place initially with hand pressure on mesial and distal
surfaces by bringing the band close to the marginal ridges.
Lower molar bands – these bands are initially seated with hand pressure on proximal surfaces and then, heavy
biting force along buccal but not lingual margins.
Upper premolar bands – these band materials in orthodontics are usually seated with alternate pressure on
buccal and lingual surfaces.
Lower premolar bands – these bands in orthodontics are designed for heavy pressure on the buccal surface.
Band Material in Orthodontics Uses
Enhances retention with welding or soldering
Facilitates both lingual attachment and buccal of auxillaries
It provides a broad surface and facilitates attachment of multiple auxillaries.
Band material in orthodontics provides superior reliability due to better resistance.
Easy to remove along with the attachment.
Difference between bonding and banding in
orthodontics
Band or bond, what makes the difference? Clinically, there is no difference in the management of orthodontic
therapy, provided the attachment slots are same dimensions and bear same relationship irrespective to the
patients’ teeth.
The choice between two attachments depends on four different considerations,
Attachment Options
Nature of band material in orthodontics, whether its broad surface or other facilities. Bands facilitate any number
of attachments with single cementation process. Bond require two stage operation to bond both lingual and
buccal.
Inter proximal space and arch length
Bands in orthodontics occupy space and length, which is obviously recovered at the time of removal. Bonds
provide great advantage in saving space.
Tooth Protection
Securely cemented band provides protection for underlying tooth. Bonded attachments expose enamel to
possible scarring in the removal of remaining adhesive after debonding heavily, highly adherent bonding agents.
Ease of Placement and Removal
Removal is easy for bands and lightly filled with bonding materials that respond to normal scaling technique.
Bonding is suitable to mass application by indirect technique.
The success of banding lies on the retention of band materials in orthodontics. A thorough understanding on
banding materials and techniques is required to create a well-contoured and adapted band that can stay for a
required period in your patients’ mouth.
Get to know more about band materials in orthodontics and protection of the tooth!