What is a Bracket?
An orthodontic bracket is a precision tooled metal, plastic or ceramic product that is used by orthodontic practitioners to attach to teeth. The bracket is bonded to the tooth by special adhesives applied to etched tooth enamel. There are also special adhesives to bond to the bracket to porcelain or plastic, which are often used by dentists for cosmetic replacement of damaged enamel or missing teeth. Through this tooth attachment, forces can be applied to the tooth, which in turn makes it move. The key feature of the bracket is the slot. The slot has been cut (or cast) to have precision angles that make the teeth look and function their best. Each tooth has a specific bracket designed for itself. Into the slot, the “archwire” is placed. The archwire is the most common method used to apply forces to the teeth and guide them to their final position by the orthodontic practitioner. Think of the archwire as the train track leading to the final position. The archwire is secured to the brack
