Restoring Occlusal Tie Wings of Ceramic Brackets

The occlusal tie wings of ceramic brackets often have to be ground down if they inter­fere with opposing teeth. Unfor­tunately, the reduction makes it difficult to tie in stainless steel ligatures.

If this problem occurs, a groove can be carved for the lig­ature wire on the occlusal side of the ceramic bracket, between the tie wing and the tooth surface. Either the smallest possible rounded stainless steel bur (Fig. A) or an ultrathin carborundum disc should be used. The disc will make a straighter groove, but be careful not to carve too deep.

A ligature wire can then be engaged in the groove without slipping off the bracket (Fig. B).