California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Written Practice Exam

Brackets are adhered to a tooth using a bonding agent, which is a type of dental adhesive. This substance creates a strong bond between the bracket and the tooth surface, allowing the bracket to remain in place during treatment. Using screws or clamps to attach brackets is not common practice in orthodontics because they can cause damage to the tooth or surrounding tissue. Pressure fitting may also appear to be a possible method, but ultimately brackets need to be securely held in place for an extended period of time, which would not be possible with just pressure alone. Therefore, the most effective and commonly used method for adhering brackets to teeth is with the use of a bonding agent.